Committees

Nominations open for the Health and Social Care Committee Chair

4 September 2024

MPs have begun the process of electing a Chair of the Health and Social Care 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 Liberal Democrat 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: Layla Moran

Supporters (own party): Ed Davey, Daisy Cooper, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Jamie Stone, Wera Hobhouse, Chris Coghlan, Richard Foord

Supporters (other parties or no party): Mr Andrew Mitchell, Jim Shannon, Alicia Kearns, Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Kate Osamor

Relevant interests declared: None

Supporting statement:

Our health and social care services are in crisis. With millions stuck on waiting lists, doctors and nurses overstretched, and far too many elderly people trapped in hospitals without a care plan, the role of the committee as a critical friend of the government as it tackles these challenges has never been more important.

So I am excited to be standing for election as Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. I’m sure colleagues’ inboxes, like mine, are heaving with casework related to health and social care. If elected Chair of this committee, I will work to elevate your and your constituents’ issues to Government at this critical time.

I firmly believe that good scrutiny and cross-party working are key to good governance. When I was first elected to Parliament I sat on the Public Accounts Committee. This wide ranging and busy committee was the best apprenticeship I could have possibly had. In the last Parliament I chaired the APPG on Coronavirus. There we heard from expert medical witnesses and patients, often leading scrutiny of government decision-making during a turbulent time.

Before Parliament I was a maths and science teacher and I would carry my love of science and developing people into this role. My style is collegiate and I will run a consensus-based committee responsive to members’ needs.

I believe the committee's role is to constructively challenge Ministers and the Department to deliver. But another key role is to develop and support the Members who sit on it. With so many new Members across the House, this will absolutely be a priority were I to be elected as Chair.

The big issues in health and social care are no secret. From social care to dentistry, and waiting lists to the workforce crisis it has never been more pressing to find common ground across the political spectrum. I hope you’ll consider giving me your support. 

Further information  

Image credit: House of Commons