Young in favour of elected committee chairmen
James Forsyth 6:30pm
It is interesting that Sir George Young took the opportunity of his interview with The Times this week to reaffirm the Tory leadership’s support for electing select committee chairmen. In the last fortnight, two Tory MPs who would like to be select committee chairmen in the next parliament have complained to me that the leadership is quietly
conspiring against the idea. But Sir George’s words suggest that this is not the case.
Select committee chairmen election should mean that we get a chairmen who is determined to hold the executive to account wherever that may lead. But it will be intriguing to see how MPs vote. For instance, will Labour and Lib Dem MPs vote for a John Redwood-style figure to head the Treasury Select Committee because that is what would cause Chancellor Osborne the most trouble?
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DavidDP
February 6th, 2010 7:28pm Report this comment"In the last fortnight, two Tory MPs who would like to be select committee chairmen in the next parliament have complained to me that the leadership is quietly
conspiring against the idea. But Sir George’s words suggest that this is not the case. "
A lesson perhaps. It's not the first time the Speccie has taken backbench complaints at face value.
Nash
February 6th, 2010 10:33pm Report this commentGood idea only if the calibre of MPs improves dramatically. The existing group of Labour placemen need to be improved dramatically if the system is to work properly. The Liberals need to get "real" and the Tories need to avoid feuding.
JohnRS
February 6th, 2010 10:33pm Report this commentA WebCameron video today has him saying he wants to see elected committees. Double bluff or the truth?
strapworld
February 7th, 2010 8:51am Report this commentJohnRS Yes he said Elected Committee's not Elected Chairmen! Cameron wants the same control as Blair and Brown.
TGF UKIP
February 7th, 2010 2:00pm Report this commentStrapworld bang on as usual and James you are really contradicting yourself if you think Cameron has any intention of doing this.
I would just refer you to your Speccie piece of 28th Nov in which you indicate that similarly to the committe "promise" Cameron's governemnt by Cabinet "promise" is just as specious. As you tell us there, Clique governemnt will be exactly that but instead it will be a "policy board" handing down policy to Dave's "vegetables." So the last thing Dave will want is to see any of their wheezes subject to any form of meaningful scrutiny - let's face most of them so far have fallen apart on sight.
What Coffee Housers may find as scary as I do is the make-up of The Policy Board - Dave, Boy George, The Mekon, Semi-detached, Shyster Maude, Boris-reject Boles and Loopy.
Was there ever a less magnificent seven?
Michael Booth
February 7th, 2010 9:19pm Report this commentOoooooooooooh how radical can you get - electing chairmen? Why... isn't that (gulp) democracy? They'll be suggesting an elected Prime Minister next...
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