Blakeney

MPs voted this week for select committee chair vacancies, with 20 or so up for grabs.   In recent years, these posts have become very high-profile as the evidence sessions and many of the reports they publish contribute, if not lead to, significant policy debate and change. Of these positions, the Treasury, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, and Public Accounts Committee chairs are both influential and sought-after by leading parliamentarians. As a result of Labour’s landslide, only one departmental select committee has fallen to a Conservative, with Dame Karen Bradley winning the Home Affairs chair, whilst every other departmental committee is now occupied by a Labour MP. Bradley is likely to start her work early, following the summer’s rioting and the continued debates over immigration.    Media coverage of these elections highlighted the fact that, in a break with tradition, some new intake MPs put themselves forward. However, experience and tenure prevailed, with no class of ’24 MPs winning a committee chair apart from Scottish Labour MP for Glasgow West, Patricia Ferguson.   The highest-profile chairs are likely to be: - Emily Thornberry, who will lead the Foreign Affairs Select Committee at a time of turbulent world events – we’re likely to see a series of interesting sessions in the coming months exploring tensions in the Middle East, the continued support for Ukraine, and tension in the South China Sea over Taiwan. - Dame Meg Hillier, who has moved to the Treasury Select Committee after a long stint chairing the Public Accounts Committee. She is known for her forensic knowledge of public finances, and this will see detailed scrutiny of the Autumn Budget and Spending Review with the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves likely to appear very soon after. - Former Minister Liam Byrne, who leads on Business and Trade which will see the first scrutiny of the government’s Industrial Strategy.   With the new government’s in-tray full of chunky issues from NHS reform, to benefits changes, to water industry regulations, the Commons select committees will be an important part of the scrutiny process. Criticism from the smaller parties has already begun with Reform boycotting the elections, and the Greens calling for fairer representation. It remains to be seen whether any of their representatives will win membership of committees when MPs vote again soon.   Next week, we’ll look at what it’s like to give evidence to a committee and – crucially – how to prepare for doing so…

This week, the team celebrated Blakeney’s eighth birthday – and of course, there was cake and drinks 🎂   It wraps up an exciting summer at Blakeney – take a look below at some pictures from our brilliant summer social last month ⬇️   We’re looking forward to what the next year brings for Blakeney. #Blakeney #BlakeneyLife

How are Select Committee chairs appointed? 🗳 With parliament returned from the summer recess, the important business of choosing Select Committee chairs starts in earnest. Before the summer, parties decided which committees would be chaired by an MP from each party. Labour will now chair 18 select committees, the Conservatives get just 5, and the Liberal Democrats get 3. Nominations for chair will run until 4pm on 9th September with results due on 11th September.   Select Committees have evolved over time, and are no longer in the ‘gift’ of party whips as they once were, instead being elected by all MPs. This means that the agenda, personality, and wider appeal of those going for chairmanship of select committees matter, and raw partisan politics doesn’t tend to see through, particularly for the important committees such as public accounts, Treasury, and Home Affairs.   Once chairs are in place, the wider committee will be elected based on the broad make up of the House of Commons. Committee inquiries will begin quickly with lots of government legislation and wider current affairs to scrutinise and assess. Next week, we’ll look at who has been elected and what it might mean, and then a look at what it is like to give evidence to a committee and how to prepare for one.   #Blakeney #PublicAffairs #SelectCommittees

Since Blakeney was founded, we have been driven by a mission to make a positive impact on the world around us.   So, we’re thrilled to share that we’re officially B Corp Certified!   The last few months have certainly not been a simple tick box process. It has been a rigorous journey involving close examination of our social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It has encouraged us to think deeply about how we continue to build a business that is a force for good.   Having the opportunity to join a global community of over 7,000 companies that balances purpose and profit is an achievement we’re incredibly proud of.   A big thanks to B Lab UK for guiding us through this process. We look forward to being an active member of the B Corp community. #Blakeney #BlakeneyImpact #BCorp

When Parliament returns, Conservative MPs will whittle down the current six leadership contenders to four. The remaining candidates will then sell their pitch to party members at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham in early October. The final two will then be chosen following the conference and go to members for a final choice at the end of November. There’s lots of well known names, but what do they stand for? Here’s our quick overview… ⤵️ #Blakeney #PublicAffairs

Is your grasp on UK politics hanging by a thread this summer? Sign up to our weekly email to hear about the challenges already faced by the new government despite the summer break, and an update on the Opposition (remember them?) Link in the comments ⬇️ #Blakeney #PublicAffairs

We're all feeling the Olympic fever at Blakeney! 🎽 While we may not have the athletic prowess on display at #Paris2024, our team brought the excitement home at our very own office Olympics, facing off in (paper plane) javelin, table tennis, and (elastic band) archery. Congratulations to our winners! 🏅 #Blakeney #OfficeOlympics #TeamSpirit 

Feeling unprepared for the political week ahead?   Stay informed with Blakeney’s weekly ICYMI email, which provides the latest analysis and policy news to help you navigate your working week with confidence.   Sign up now by clicking the link in the comments! ✒ #Blakeney #PublicAffairs

Yesterday, the King’s Speech set out details of the legislative agenda for the year ahead.   With 40 Bills announced, this is a weighty programme and given the new government’s majority, it is reasonable to assume that many of these proposals will become law.   Planning reform, workers’ rights and devolution took centre stage, giving the clearest example yet of what Keir Starmer’s ‘mission-led’ approach looks like in practice.   Not all Bills are made equal, though, and here are three that we think deserve particularly close attention.   #Blakeney #PublicAffairs #UKPolitics

All good things must come to an end… Fortunately, Blakeney's weekly email, ICYMI, isn't one of them. We're still here to make sure that business leaders stay up-to-date with everything going on in UK politics and policy. From Labour's early priorities to key events in the week ahead, rising stars to falling poll numbers, ICYMI gives you what you need in an easy and accessible format. Sign up by pressing the link in the comments ⬇️ #Blakeney #PublicAffairs