Chair nominations open for Backbench Business Committee

3 September 2024

MPs have begun the process of electing a Chair of the Backbench Business Committee in the new Parliament.

Nominations close at 4pm on Monday 9 September and no Member may be a candidate for the position of Chair if their party is represented in the Government.

Nominations must include a statement signed by the candidate indicating their willingness to stand, along with the physical signatures of no fewer than 20 and no more than 25 Members. No fewer than ten signatories must be members of a party represented in the Government, and no fewer than ten must be members of a party not represented in the Government or of no party.

A full list of candidates is published below with accompanying statements.

The election will take place from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 11 September, along with the elections of other select committee chairs. The results are expected to be announced by the Speaker later that day or on Thursday 12 September.

Nominations

Candidate: Bob Blackman

Supporters (party represented in His Majesty’s Government): Bill Esterson, Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Navendu Mishra, Dawn Butler, Paula Barker, Rachel Hopkins, Peter Dowd, Feryal Clark, Kim Leadbeater, Mr Clive Betts

Supporters (party not represented in His Majesty’s Government): Jerome Mayhew, David Reed, Harriet Cross, Mr Richard Holden, Saqib Bhatti, Dr Luke Evans, Lewis Cocking, Rebecca Paul, Dame Karen Bradley, Alicia Kearns, Dr Caroline Johnson, Jack Rankin, Jim Shannon

Relevant interests declared: None

Supporting statement:

I am standing to be Chairman of the Backbench Business Committee in the upcoming election on 11th September. Your support in this election would be greatly appreciated.

I have served on the Backbench Business Committee consistently for 12 years, joining in 2012. During this time, I have regularly acted as Chairman when required, making business announcements in the Chamber and ensuring the Committee still met. This has given me the experience and authority needed to take on such a position.

I have regularly exercised the opportunities provided by the Committee, sponsoring debates in both the House of Commons Chamber and in Westminster Hall. I am therefore incredibly aware of the benefits these can have in introducing change and ensuring the Minister can respond to such matters on the record. Furthermore, as many will be aware, I rarely miss Business Questions. In the last Parliament, I was in the top 3 MPs for spoken contributions during such sessions.

I am confident that I would be suited to this role for a range of reasons:

I have the experience of chairing a vast range of Committees and APPGs and I have regularly stepped up to Chair the Backbench Business Committee when required;
Over the last 14 years in Parliament, I have earnt the respect of members and thus have the authority to be Chairman;
I have a proven track record of integrity – honesty and transparency would be central to my decision-making if I am successful in this election;
Adaptability is necessary in Parliament, with votes arising frequently and a constant array of conflicting circumstances. I am well aware that at times, members may need to send their apologies and thus I am prepared to make the necessary arrangements to ensure the committee is quorate and can continue its sitting;
The new Parliament has led to an abundance of new faces on all benches. If I were elected as Chairman, I would ensure all members are aware of the procedures and the benefits of sponsoring debates in either Chamber. I will be a friendly face that members can ask for advice and support.

Your support in this election would mean a great deal. I know that I can bring energy, enthusiasm and an abundance of experience to this role, as well as encouraging members to take part in sponsoring important debates, giving a range of matters the recognition they deserve on a Parliamentary stage.

If you have any questions, my door is always open and I would be more than happy to discuss these with you at the earliest convenience.

Kind regards,

Bob Blackman CBE MP

Further information

Image credit: House of Commons