Nominations open for Business and Trade Committee Chair

• Business and Trade Committee
• Nomination form for the select committee chairs (docx, 63KB)
• Election of committee chairs briefing note (docx, 63KB)
• How select committees elect Chairs

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.  

• Allocation of select committee chairs  

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: Liam Byrne

Supporters (own party): Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Dame Meg Hillier, Peter Dowd, Afzal Khan, Paulette Hamilton, Clive Efford, Luke Akehurst, Ms Polly Billington, Blair McDougall, Lucy Rigby, Josh Simons, Mrs Sureena Brackenridge, Andy McDonald, Gareth Snell, Perran Moon

Supporters (other parties or no party): David Davis, Dame Karen Bradley, Tim Farron, Mr Andrew Mitchell, Dame Harriett Baldwin

Relevant interests declared: None

Supporting statement:

I would be honoured if you would lend me your support for re-election as Chair of the Business and Trade Committee.

The Committee is vital to helping ensure the Government achieves its mission of the fastest growth in the G7.

My agenda

At the core of my suggested agenda:

• Real progress on greener growth, mission-driven industrial policy, investment security, and better trade with key allies like the EU and US
• Ensuring work always pays and holding to account firms that do not treat their workers with respect – as we did with P&O, Wilko, McDonald’s and Asda in the last parliament
• Maximising pressure to resolve the Post Office scandal – driving forward justice for Sub-postmasters, which remains unfinished business, and exploring contempt of Parliament proceedings against those who misled the public and helped trigger one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British history.

But the Committee must also be the place where we figure out answers to some big practical questions that affect every constituency.

How do we help small business grow and the high street thrive? How do we safeguard the future of automative and steel industries? Or ensure trade policy delivers both a better EU relationship and opportunities around the world?

Here’s why you should re-elect me as Chair!

• I’m a Chair ready to hit the ground running! With Cabinet experience managing Government departments and chairing the Committee in the last Parliament, I know how to move fast and take aim at where it matters
• An open, inclusive – but fearless – style determined to help everyone with an interest in the business and trade agenda get involved on the Committee and in the Chamber
• A background in business – thanks to a Fulbright Scholarship I went from a Harlow comprehensive school to the Harvard Business School before co-founding a venture-backed European-wide technology firm. I’ve written the economic history of Britain through the lives of our greatest entrepreneurs, spent 15 years analysing China, and my new book, The Inequality of Wealth, was published in January.

My Approach

I am also proud to have run a constructive cross-party committee. Former Conservative committee member, Anthony Mangnall, said:

“As the longest serving member of the Business and Trade Committee in the last Parliament I had the pleasure of working with Liam Byrne. He was then an excellent, fair, detailed and hardworking chairman who led to the committee producing high quality balanced reports. He would undoubtedly continue to operate in such a manner and I would strongly encourage any and all colleagues to support his candidacy!”

That effective cross-party working is how we ensure Parliament does its job well. And that is the approach I would be honoured to continue.

Here are my qualifications for the job!

• Elected Chair, Business & Trade Select Committee 2023-24, and Chair, Global Parliamentary Network on the IMF & World Bank since 2019
• Cabinet experience under Gordon Brown in 10 Downing Street and HM Treasury
• A decade chairing cross-party work on reconnecting economic growth and social justice.

Candidate: Matt Western

Supporters (own party): Anneliese Midgley, Phil Brickell, Rachel Taylor, Mary Kelly Foy, Samantha Niblett, Mr Toby Perkins, Helen Hayes, Steve Yemm, Gill Furniss, Dr Simon Opher, Chris Hinchliff, Sarah Owen, Matt Bishop, Lola McEvoy, John Slinger

Supporters (other parties or no party): Colum Eastwood, Andrew Rosindell, Dr Caroline Johnson, Jamie Stone, Mr Alistair Carmichael

Relevant interests declared:  Shareholding in Apple (consumer electronics) – exceeds £70,000; Pension with Stellantis group (formerly PSA Peugeot Citroen); I have a shareholding in Orsted - £26,000; I have some smaller shareholdings in some other companies which are less than £25,000…I would declare these ahead of any inquiry to the House authorities and to the committee; My wife works at a University; My younger step-son works for a coding company

Supporting statement:

SUMMARY

• 24 years in the automotive industry before entering Parliament. 
• 3 years on the International Trade Select Committee.
• Chair of the All-Party Motor Group and APPG for Electric Vehicles.
• Former Shadow Minister for Higher Education.

A BACKGROUND IN BUSINESS

• Previously worked for 24 years in the automotive industry. 
• Experience across finance, export market management, advertising, and marketing.
• First job was working in a foundry making ‘spud guns’ but have also worked in retail and hospitality.

CROSS-PARTY COLLABORATION AND SCRUTINY EXPERIENCE

• Strong track record working cross-party in my roles as Chair of the APPG for Electric Vehicles and All-Party Motor Group. I have worked closely with MPs from all parties, businesses, trade unions and regional leaders to champion one of our major industries. 
• Experienced at scrutinising Government policy. As the former Shadow Minister for Higher Education, I led the opposition’s response to significant bills, such as the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill.
• Knowledge of Select Committee proceedings. I sat for three years on the International Trade Select Committee, as well as the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.

AN EXPERIENCED, INCLUSIVE, AND FAIR CHAIR

Our economy faces significant challenges in a competitive and turbulent global landscape. The new Government has a robust legislative agenda aimed at securing the highest growth in the G7. We are presented with significant external challenges, as well as opportunities to transform our economy. My experience in scrutiny and working within industry uniquely positions me to consider the perspectives of businesses, the workforce, and local communities.

The Select Committee for Business and Trade must play an active role in ensuring that the Government’s efforts benefit our workers, regions, and nations. There will be many priorities for the new committee, including addressing FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). Likewise, our trade deal status, particularly with the new Government’s intention to reset trade with the EU, is crucial. Having sat on the International Trade Select Committee for three years, I know that Select Committees are most effective when we work collaboratively, and the views of all parties, irrespective of size, are considered.

If elected as Chair, I will ensure that fairness and inclusivity are central to my conduct. I have appreciated the conversations I’ve had over the past weeks, hearing your ideas for the Business and Trade agenda. From our High Streets to the new Industrial Strategy, skills to productivity, if elected, I will ensure that Members are able to discuss their constituents’ business and trade issues via drop-ins with me.

During my time in Parliament, I have served three years on the International Trade Select Committee and three years as Shadow Minister for Higher Education. If elected as Chair, I will bring this experience to the ambitious programme of the committee. I would be honoured to lead the pressing work of this important committee and believe I have the experience to do so.

Further information  

• Election of House of Commons Select Committee Chairs

Image credit: House of Commons