Nominations open for Chair of Defence Committee
18 September 2023
The Speaker has announced the timetable for the election of the Chair of the Defence Select Committee following the resignation of Tobias Ellwood.
Nominations close at noon on Tuesday 24 October. If there is more than one candidate, a ballot will take place on Wednesday 25 October between 11am and 2.30pm
Under the standing orders of the House, the Chair of the Defence Committee is allocated to the Conservative Party. Candidates require the support of 15 fellow Conservative MPs for their nomination to be valid.
If only one MP is nominated for the role, they are elected unopposed. If two or more MPs stand, there follows a ballot where MPs vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. Votes are later counted under the Alternative Vote system. The result is expected to be announced in the Chamber later that day.
Valid nominations received on sitting days will be printed in the next day’s House business papers. They will also be published on the Parliament website along with the candidate’s supporting statement, signatories and any declared interests.
Further information
- How select committees elect Chairs
- About Parliament: Select committees
- Visiting Parliament: Watch committees
Header image credit: UK Parliament/Elspeth Keep