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Four candidates progress to election for Chair of the Education Committee

15 November 2022

Nominations for the position of Chair of the Education Committee closed at noon today.

Four MPs have declared their interest in the role, triggering a ballot in the House of Commons on Wednesday 16 November 2022. 

The new Chair will be an MP from the Conservative Party, as agreed by the House following the last General Election. The process for the election of select committee chairs is set out in Standing Orders 122B and 122C.

The candidates are:  

  • Caroline Ansell, Member of Parliament for Eastbourne
  • Jonathan Gullis, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North
  • David Simmonds, Member of Parliament for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
  • Robin Walker, Member of Parliament for Worcester

The list of candidates, their sponsors and any supporting statements is available on the UK Parliament website.  

The information will also be available in a booklet published for MPs detailing each candidate.

The ballot will be held between 11am and 2.30pm in the Aye lobby. MPs will vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. Votes will be counted under the Alternative Vote system. 

The results will be announced in the Chamber under the direction of the Speaker. The Member elected to chair the committee will take up their position with immediate effect and serve to the end of the current Parliament. 

The vacancy arises following the appointment of Robert Halfon MP as Minister of State at the Department for Education.

Image: UK Parliament/Tyler Allicock