Code of Conduct and Modernisation Committee Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Leader of the House

Code of Conduct and Modernisation Committee

Lee Anderson Excerpts
Thursday 25th July 2024

(3 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lucy Powell Portrait Lucy Powell
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I understand the hon. Member’s concern. It is an unfortunate case of the mathematics that apply across all Select Committees. On other occasions, in past Parliaments, her party has benefited from the formulas that are used. Beyond formal membership, however, I reassure the House that I want to commit to regular and meaningful engagement with any and all parties represented in this House and with Members who want to contribute.

Lee Anderson Portrait Lee Anderson (Ashfield) (Reform)
- Hansard - -

This, to me, seems a little bit unfair. A political party that is represented in this House and got over 4 million votes at the last election will have no representation whatsoever on these Committees, yet a party that got 3.5 million votes will have plenty of representation on them. Does the Leader of the House think that is fair?

Lucy Powell Portrait Lucy Powell
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As the hon. Gentleman knows, his party has four other Members in this House; the House is considered in terms of its Members, not in terms of the popular vote. What he describes is a consequence of formulas that are long-standing and have brought about effective representation on many Select Committees.