Six senior London MPs have been elected to key posts to grill Sir Keir Starmer’s super-majority Government.
Dame Meg Hillier, who represents Hackney South and Shoreditch, will head the powerful Treasury Committee, as Britain faces more years of financial difficulties.
She stressed: “During my nine-year tenure leading the Public Accounts Committee, I learned a thing or two about the mistakes governments can make with taxpayers’ money.
“I will work day-in and day-out, as Chair of the Treasury Committee, to ensure His Majesty’s Treasury and its affiliated public bodies are managing the public finances in the best interests of the British public.”
Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, will chair the influential Foreign Affairs Committee at a time of growing global crises.
With London in the grip of a homes crisis, Florence Eshalomi, who represents Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, will lead the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.
She tweeted: “Safe secure housing provided me and my family with stability growing up. “I look forward to working cross-party, to hold the Govt to account on this important issue.”
As Labour pushes ahead with rail re-nationalistion, Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, will chair the Transport Committee.
She said: “Transport touches every aspect of our lives, from getting to work to seeing our loved ones and ensuring we can buy the goods we need.
“Working cross-party, this Committee will continue to champion the sector and consumers across the country.”
Amid the prisoners’ early release controversy, Andy Slaughter, who represents Hammersmith and Chiswick, will head the Justice Committee.
“I am delighted to be trusted by my colleagues with a job that brings together my experience as an MP and a lawyer,” he said.
“But I know what a parlous state the justice system is in. We have very difficult years ahead.”
As many schools are still recovering from the impact of Covid on children, and some schools in London are seeing a drop in pupil numbers, Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, will chair the Education Committee.
She posted on X: “The Committee will champion the interests of children, young people & parents from all backgrounds, as well as adults in education“We will scrutinise the government & always be led by the evidence we receive.”
Conservative MP Bob Blackman, Harrow East, has also been elected to chair the Backbench Business Committee, which gives opportunities to backbench MPs to bring forward debates of their choice.
Four London MPs are in the Cabinet; Sir Keir, Holborn and St Pancras, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Tottenham, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Ilford North, and Environment Secretary Steve Reed, Streatham and Croydon, with around 20 MPs from the capital in total on the Government frontbench.
Three first-time London MPs were appointed ministers, with Sarah Sackman as Solicitor General.
Queen’s Park and Maida Vale MP Georgia Gould and Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh were also elevated to junior minister roles in the Cabinet Office and Energy Department respectively.
