This week was election week – both of the Deputy Speakers and of the Chairmen of the Select Committees. The three Deputy Speakers elected were Nigel Evans, Lindsay Hoyle and Dawn Primarolo. Nigel was well ahead of the other contenders and made it very clear at the Hustings meeting before his election, that he took very seriously the role of mentoring and supporting new back benchers. His election is particularly welcome news!
Select Committees - elections
The chairmen of the Select Committees, which have responsibility for examining each Government Department with regard to their spending, polices and administration, have also been elected. This is a first. In previous parliaments, the chairmen were appointed. This time the chairmen have been elected by all Members of Parliament using the Alternative Voting System– and they all had to prove worthy of our vote!
New Chairmen
Key results of the 24 Select Committee Chairmen elections were the election of Graham Stuart to head Children, Schools and Families, Adrian Bailey to head Business Innovation and Skills, Clive Betts to head Communities and Local Government, James Arbuthnot to head up Defence, Andrew Tyrie to head up the Treasury, Stephen Dorrell to head up Health, Anne McIntosh to head up Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Richard Ottaway to head up Foreign Affairs, Keith Vaz to head up Home Affairs and Anne Begg to head up Work and Pensions. Quite a line up!
Constituency Work
The first meeting on Friday morning on my return to Newton Abbot was in Exeter with John Hart and Phil Norey, Leader and Chief Executive respectively of Devon County Council. It is very important that we work together across local government. Different levels of government have different powers, duties and responsibilities. Working from Westminster, through Devon and to Teignbridge in a joined up way can lead to significant change - improving things for residents and businesses alike.
A vision for the future
John Hart, Phil Norey and I shared views and aspirations for the County and I made it clear I wanted to work with them to achieve a healthier local economy with more jobs and the right educational opportunities to support that. I also wanted to see health and social care provision carefully reviewed and supported through rigorous Health Scrutiny. Transport and a supportive infrastructure would all be key to encourage investment. And no surprise therefore that my next meeting was with the officers with oversight of the Bypass plans. No decision has yet been made as regards the future of the bypass by the minister Norman Baker –watch this space.
Out and about
My surgeries this weekend saw me in Kenton, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot – with just enough time to drop in to the Victorian Event at the Den – and buy two scrumptious cakes. It was also a pleasure to meet The Chordettes –Teignmouth’s Ladies Close Harmony Singers. We have a lot of local talent!