Dunwoody fights for job
Labour rebel Gwyneth Dunwoody is fighting to remain chair of the Transport Select Committee – despite a rule that bans MPs from serving more than two terms as chair.
The respected and famously off-message MP believes she should be able to continue as chair of the committee because it was a sub-committee during the first two years of her tenure, so the full term is not yet up.
The difficulty has brought to a standstill the formation of the select committees, which are responsible for detailed investigation of the Government’s programme of legislation.
Speaking to The Times Ms Dunwoody, said: “They would like to get rid of me any way they can. The basic problem for them is that they would like someone who could be manoeuvred. The chairmanships are now just regarded as part of the Government’s patronage.
“The chief whip has even asked who I thought should replace me, and I suggested four people, but each one was pushed out immediately. So it is very clear to me what is going on and I am fighting for my chairmanship.”
Ms Dunwoody has already survived one attempt to deselect her in 2001, when more than 100 MPs rebelled against Labour whips’ attempts to prevent her and Donald Anderson (Foreign Affairs Select Committee chairman) from taking up their respective posts.
Ms Dunwoody is also believed to have backbench support this time around, with backbenchers worried about Government control of the select committee system.
