Candidates to lead powerful Treasury Committee set out bids as MPs cast their ballots
3 min read
MPs are set to vote on a new Treasury Committee chair as four Tory MPs compete to replace Nicky Morgan in the top job.
Harriett Baldwin, Mark Garnier, Kevin Hollinrake and Mel Stride are vying for the influential role as Ms Morgan joined Boris Johnson's cabinet after Culture Secretary.
The incoming chief will take over the cross-party body's scrutiny of the Government's economic policy, and bodies such as the Treasury, HMRC and the Bank of England.
Current inquiries range from economic crime to gender pay gap reporting and the impact of business rates on business.
MPs will cast their ballots between 10am and 1.30pm on Wednesday, ranking the hopefuls in order of preference.
Results are expected to be announced later in the afternoon.
Here’s what each candidate is pitching:
Harriett Baldwin
“As someone who has just been sacked by the Prime Minister, but who has extensive recent Ministerial experience – especially as Economic Secretary to the Treasury – I am ideally placed to ensure the Treasury Select Committee holds this Government to account at this important time in our nation’s history.
“The committee needs a safe, hard-working and competent hand on the tiller as the Treasury plans for, and delivers the process, of leaving the European Union on October 31st."
Mark Garnier
“Whoever takes over as the next chair of the Treasury Select Committee must hit the ground running – and running fast. The UK finds itself at a critical time and proper, in depth scrutiny of the effects of Brexit is crucial.
“My six years’ previous experience on the Treasury Committee and a couple of years on the Parliamentary Commission for Banking Standards gives me the best head start. It is important to put that experience, and my 27 years as an investment banker and investment manager and 19 months as a trade minister, to good use.”
Kevin Hollinrake
“If elected Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, I want to prioritise scrutinising and challenging the Treasury’s no deal preparations rather than accepting its analysis.
“I would want to know which preparations are on track, where there is work to be done and what is being done to ensure we are ready to leave without a deal so that everyone knows where we stand.
“There are some highly respected names already in the field and I hope that my non-partisan, robust, Yorkshire straight-talking approach will be an advantage in winning over some of our Labour colleagues.”
Mel Stride
“I will reach out across the House in leading the Treasury Select Committee.
“I took 3 finance bills and the customs bill through the House. I understand the Treasury – how it consults, reaches decisions and translates them into legislation and action. That knowledge will be invaluable in leading the TSC to hold the department and Government fully to account and without fear or favour.
“The new Chair must hit the ground running. As well as scrutinising the recent spending round and coming budget the committee’s urgent focus must be Brexit."
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