Nominations open for the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Chair

• Energy Security and Net Zero 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: Bill Esterson

Supporters (own party): Chi Onwurah, Matt Turmaine, Claire Hazelgrove, Dr Lauren Sullivan, Catherine Atkinson, Ms Polly Billington, Clive Efford, Ruth Cadbury, Perran Moon, Jayne Kirkham, Oliver Ryan, Mr Toby Perkins, Helen Hayes, Carolyn Harris, Patrick Hurley

Supporters (other parties or no party): Bob Blackman, Wera Hobhouse, Jamie Stone, Tessa Munt, Sir Gavin Williamson

Relevant interests declared: Vice President, Association for Decentralised Energy; Member, APPG for Nuclear Energy

Supporting statement:

It has been a pleasure to discuss my plans for chairing the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee with so many parliamentary colleagues.

I have the experience of:

• 14 years in parliament  
• 15 years running a business
• Member of multiple select committees
• Shadow Industry Minister, Shadow Business Minister, Shadow International Trade Minister, Shadow Roads Minister
• Vice President of the Association for Decentralised Energy
• Vice Chair of the Hydrogen APPG
• Over 100 energy and net zero related industry visits 

In my time on the opposition front bench, I developed relationships across energy and related sectors and have learned about the many challenges and possibilities available in energy and net zero.

Colleagues have told me they are keen for the committee to address:

• The opportunities in floating offshore wind 
• How solar farms and agriculture can co-exist
• The potential for community energy companies to play a major role
• The importance of domestic manufacturing and supply chains for the energy sector
• The transition to low carbon in energy intensive industries
• Insulation, installation of heat pumps and solar panels for homes and commercial buildings
• Skills development for young people and retraining for the existing workforce
• The importance of small modular reactors and the future of nuclear energy
• The supply of critical minerals from the UK and abroad
• The export potential of low carbon technology 

If elected, I will work with MPs, cross party, to hold the government to account on its energy plans. 

My top three priorities as committee chair will be: 

1. How GB Energy will deliver the level of investment needed to decarbonise through a strong partnership with private investors.

2. How grid capacity and grid connections along with off-grid generation can be scaled up to meet the necessary level of demand from pursuing low carbon electricity self-sufficiency by 2030.

3. How we ensure that oil and gas and related energy intensive industries such as steel have the support needed to be part of the transition.

Our national security and our energy independence are interdependent. Our constituents must benefit from lower bills and new jobs as a result of the transition to low carbon energy. We have to learn the lessons and avoid the mistakes of deindustrialisation by taking people with us as we transition to net zero.

My breadth of experience means that I am well placed to chair the committee. As my track record shows, I will work with people to build trust and relationships. I will ensure that the expertise of members of the committee, of members across the House, of stakeholders and of consumers is at the heart of the evidence we collect and the recommendations we make to government. 

Candidate: Melanie Onn

Supporters (own party): Sarah Champion, Karl Turner, Florence Eshalomi, Jo Platt, Matt Bishop, Katrina Murray, Josh MacAlister, Graeme Downie, Michael Payne, Satvir Kaur, Darren Paffey, Natalie Fleet, Anneliese Midgley, Amanda Hack, Tom Rutland

Supporters (other parties or no party): Dame Karen Bradley, Layla Moran, Martin Vickers, Mark Pritchard, Steff Aquarone

Relevant interests declared: Director of Grimsby Community Energy

Supporting statement:

Net Zero & Energy Security is an issue close to my heart. I spent my time away from Parliament as the Deputy Chief Executive for RenewableUK, overseeing supply chain, skills and Just Transition as well as promoting diversity within the industry.

This taught me the importance of ensuring that everyone enjoys the benefits of transitioning to a green economy. As the home of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, my constituency is a great example of this. The development has pumped thousands into the local economy and created hundreds of new jobs, helping to breathe new life into the town.

I’m also conscious of the needs of high-emitting industries, like steel, as we work towards Net Zero.

The Government must do all it can to help high emitters to decarbonise, otherwise it risks creating vast swathes of industrial wastelands with jobs lost for a generation. There are steelworks, petro-chemical plants, and ports right on the doorstep of my constituency, and it’s right that similar areas around the country have their circumstances considered as policy is rapidly introduced.

Protecting our energy security has never been more important, as I learned during my time as a member of the former Energy and Environment Committee. We’re facing a mounting climate challenge and an increasingly unstable international landscape. It’s time to secure our energy sources by building new nuclear, solar, and wind farms to ensure that we are in control of our energy.

There’s so much exciting and interesting work to get under the skin of. This next Committee has an opportunity to bring these issues to life for real people, our constituents, who are on the receiving end of so many decisions. We cannot keep having industry or government talking within its own bubble.

As Chair of the Select Committee for Energy Security and Net Zero, I’d assess measures to protect British energy infrastructure from foreign interference, undertake a joint enquiry with the DCHLG Select Committee on barriers to delivery, and ensure that the Government delivers industrial benefits that support economic growth and inward investment in every part of the country.

I’m keen to work with Members across the House in my efforts to solve the challenges we face on this journey to Net Zero. This will allow us to utilise the wealth of experience that exists in Parliament, supporting outcomes that work for the whole country. I’ve already received representation from Members on food security, costs to bill payers, getting nuclear back on the agenda and the need for meaningful industrial benefits.

To achieve its climate targets, the Government must enact significant changes rapidly, this brings environmental, industrial, and social challenges and this Committee has a fantastic opportunity to be alongside the developments of this key area of Government policy every step of the way.

For robust inquiries into critical issues, fair representation of views from across the House, and a solid evidence base for all conclusions, vote Melanie Onn for Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee. 

Further information  

• Election of House of Commons Select Committee Chairs

Image credit: House of Commons