Robin Walker elected Chair of the Education Committee

The Speaker has announced that Robin Walker has been elected Chair of the Education Committee.

Four candidates were nominated for the role of Chair, triggering an election between:

• 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

Read all of the supporting statements for the candidates.

The new Chair was elected from the Conservative Party, as agreed by the party leaders following the results of the last General Election.

The procedure for the election of chairs is set out in Standing Orders Nos 122B and 122C. MPs voted by ranking candidates in order of preference and votes were counted under the Alternative Vote System.

The election for the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee follows the resignation of Robert Halfon MP and his appointment as Minister of State at the Department for Education.

Chair comment

Commenting on his election as Chair, Robin Walker said:

“Thank you to all colleagues across the House who have supported me, I’ve been honoured to receive the support of some of the people I respect most in Parliament from opposition and Government alike.

“Nothing can be more important than education, which unlocks opportunity. The work of the Education Select Committee is more relevant and important than ever.

“I am looking forward to working with the Committee on issues such as childcare and the cost of living, to keep up the great work which former Chair Robert Halfon started on attendance, safeguarding, skills, careers and SEN and to hold ministers to account.

“From childcare settings, through schools to colleges, apprenticeships and universities, this Committee has a huge range of institutions to look at and people to support, which are relevant in every constituency up and down the country.”