A host of former Labour frontbenchers have joined parliamentary select committees, after nominations for vacant positions closed today. 12 committees had vacancies filled without the need for further elections among Labour MPs.
Liz Kendall, Mary Creagh, Rachel Reeves, Emma Reynolds, Ben Bradshaw, Dave Hanson and Stella Creasy are among the most notable names to have joined committees, while Chuka Umunna and Caroline Flint will have to go through a balloting process if they are to end up on their chosen committees. LabourList understood that that high-profile former Shadow Cabinet ministers are putting themselves forward for the positions to ensure that the Government is properly held to account, amid concerns from moderate members of the PLP that the new leadership has so far failed to provide effective opposition.
The new select committee positions, filled without need for election, are:
Communities and Local Government
Liz Kendall
Culture, Media and Sport
Julie Elliott
Energy and Climate Change
Rushanara Ali
Tom Blenkinsop
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Angela Smith
Environmental Audit
Mary Creagh
Geraint Davies
Health
Ben Bradshaw
Julie Cooper
Emma Reynolds
Home Affairs
Naz Shah
Justice
David Hanson
Rupa Huq
Andy McDonald
Marie Rimmer
Science and Technology
Stella Creasy
Treasury
Rachel Reeves
Work and Pensions
Steve McCabe
Women and Equalities
Siobhain McDonagh
Gavin Shuker
Three committees will require elections among Labour MPs for the remaining positions. The ballot will take place on Tuesday. They are:
| Defence | One vacancy | Peter Dowd |
| Phil Wilson | ||
| Home Affairs | Two vacancies | Simon Danczuk |
| Paul Flynn | ||
| Chuka Umunna | ||
| Public Accounts | Three vacancies | Chris Evans |
| Caroline Flint | ||
| Alison McGovern | ||
| Bridget Philipson | ||
| Jamie Reed |
Also on Tuesday will be the ballot for the two remaining positions on the Parliamentary Committee (Update: you can see the result of these elections below):
Parliamentary Committee by-election (two places)
Tom Blenkinsop
Karen Buck
Dawn Butler
Ian Mearns
Angela Smith
UPDATE, Wednesday 21st October: Final positions have been confirmed:
Defence
Phil Wilson
Home Affairs
Chuka Umunna
Public Accounts
Bridget Phillipson, Caroline Flint
Parliamentary Committee
Tom Blenkinsop, Angela Smith
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