Committees

Nominations open for the Welsh Affairs Committee Chair

4 September 2024

MPs have begun the process of electing a Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee in the new Parliament.

The Speaker announced the timetable for the elections on July 30. The period of nominations will run until 4pm on Monday 9 September, with the ballot scheduled for Wednesday 11 September.

The new Chair will be elected from the Labour party under the allocation of committee chairs to political parties which was agreed by the House on 30 July 2024.  

Since 2010, most committee chairs have been elected by the whole House, by a system of alternative vote and by secret ballot. To be valid, nominations must contain a signed statement made by the candidate declaring their willingness to stand.

It must be accompanied by the signatures of 15 MPs elected to the Commons as members of the same political party as the candidate (or 10 per cent of the MPs elected to the House as members of that party, whichever is the lower). More than 15 signatures can be collected but only the first 15 valid signatures are printed. Members may only nominate one candidate per select committee.

Nominations may be accompanied by the signatures of up to five MPs elected to the House as members of any party other than to which the chair is allocated or of no party. Similarly, only five such signatures are printed.

Candidates must declare any relevant interests with their nomination. Valid nominations received each day are published with the next day's Order Paper and will be listed below.

Nominations

Candidate: Ruth Jones

Supporters (own party): Carolyn Harris, Tonia Antoniazzi, Catherine Fookes, Andrew Ranger, Gill German, Claire Hughes, Luke Akehurst, Adam Jogee, Emil Thornberry, Paula Barker, Pam Cox, Simon Opher, Neil Coyle, Kate Osborne, Mary Glindon

Supporters (other parties or no party): Liz Saville Roberts, Ben Lake, Tim Farron, Colum Eastwood, Greg Smith

Relevant interests declared: None

Supporting statement:

I have been privileged to serve on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for the last four years and now I am seeking your support to become it’s chair.

I was born and raised in Newport and worked as an NHS physiotherapist for 32 years, both in Newport and across the Gwent Valleys. I was also a full-time trade union officer for four years before coming into Parliament in April 2019.

We all know Wales as the land of our fathers but, as Welsh MPs, it is our duty to deliver change for the next generation so it can be the “land of our future” too.

We must see that Wales fulfils its potential with a safe and green environment and a thriving economy across our cities, towns and villages. We must build on our history as a resilient nation and not shy away from our problems but face them head on.

I am a proven team player and well-placed to assume the role of a “critical friend” as committee chair. I firmly believe it is only through constructive scrutiny can we meet the challenges ahead.

I would ensure inquiries are tailored to the concerns in people’s lives, from the loss of banking facilities in high streets and villages to the promotion of Wales as a tourist destination.

I am proud to serve as the Member of Parliament for my home constituency, Newport West and Islwyn; I would be honoured to assume the role of committee chair.

I am grateful to have the support of the committee’s previous chair, Stephen Crabb, who says: “Ruth was an outstanding member of the Welsh Affairs Committee throughout the last Parliament. Her contributions during evidence sessions and consideration of draft reports were always well-informed and insightful.

"Her deep and practical knowledge of the strategic issues facing Wales helped to shape a number of the major inquiries undertaken by the Committee over the last five years.

“Ruth would be the ideal person to lead the important work of the Committee in the new Parliament and ensure that the Welsh voice in Parliament is strong and effective.”

Further information  

Image credit: House of Commons