Mel Stride wins race to succeed Nicky Morgan as Treasury Committee chair
2 min read
Mel Stride has vowed to bring “illumination and light” to his new role as Treasury Committee chair after winning the backing of MPs.
The former Treasury minister gained 263 votes from colleagues to emerge triumphant in the race to succeed Nicky Morgan, who stood down from the role after being appointed Culture Secretary by Boris Johnson.
The ballot went to a second round against fellow candidates Kevin Hollinrake, Harriett Baldwin and Mark Garnier, who were praised as “very committed parliamentarians” by Speaker John Bercow.
Announcing the result in the Commons, Mr Bercow said Mr Stride was “every inch the public servant”.
Mr Stride, who was also briefly Leader of the House of Commons before Theresa May quit Number 10, will take up his new role as head of the cross-party body immediately.
He told MPs: “What an honour it is to be elected by this House to this very important committee.
“The confidence that the House has shown in me, I will reciprocate in terms of chairing that committee with the utmost fairness.
“At a time of great sound and fury in this chamber I hope our committee now brings forward some illumination and light.”
Runner-up Mr Hollinrake also praised his rival, adding: “He will make a brilliant job of chairing that Treasury Committee and will do an important job at a very key time.”
Writing for PoliticsHome before winning the election, Mr Stride said as chair he would want to continue inquiries into regional imbalances of the UK economy, business rates, fair banking and women in finance.
He also wanted to bring his “particular insight” into no-deal Brexit preparations around tariffs and customs.
"As well as scrutinising the recent spending round and coming Budget the committee’s urgent focus must be Brexit," he added.
The Central Devon MP was endorsed by former Treasury Committee chair Ms Morgan during his campaign, who said he would be “excellent, inclusive, impartial and fair” in the role.
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