Political Updates 19 December 2016
This is the last Political Updates of the year, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
House of Commons
The House of Commons rises on 20th December for the Christmas recess, The House returns on 9th January 2017.
Select Committees
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs: John Stevenson (CON) joined; Adam Holloway (CON) left.
Works and Pensions: Royston Smith (CON) joined; John Glen (CON) left.
Women and Equalities: Philip Davies (CON) joined; Mims Davies (CON) left.
Finance: Mark Menzies (CON) joined; Mark Garnier (CON) left.
Environmental: Scott Mann (CON) and Joan Ryan (LAB) joined; Margaret Greenwood (LAB) left.
House of Lords
The House of Lords rises on the 21st December for the Christmas recess. The House returns on 9th January 2017.
- Lord Prior passed away on the 12th December.
- Baroness Cavendish has resigned the Conservative Party Whip having less than three months after she took her seat in the Lords.
- Baroness Chisholm announced in 15th December she will be leaving her roles in the Government and returning to the backbenches.
Devolved Institutions
- Bill Bowman has been selected to take the seat of Alex Johnstone in the Scottish Parliament. Alex Johnstone passed away on the 7th December.
- The Northern Ireland Assembly rose on 9th December for the Christmas recess, however, a special sitting of the Assembly has been called for today (19th December), this is to discuss the ongoing Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scandal.
- Arlene Foster is facing a motion of confidence in the Assembly over the RHI scandal.
Local Government
- The leader of Neath Port Talbot Council is stepping down as a councillor at next May’s local elections.
- Katherine Fairclough has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Cumbria County Council. Subject to approval by a full council meeting, she will take over the role from Diane Wood in March 2017.
European Parliament
- Jean Lambert Green MEP for London, has been selected by the party to run for President of the European Parliament.
- Antonio Tajani Forza Italia MEP for Centrale, Italy has been selected by the European People’s Party to run for President of the European Parliament.
- Syed Kamall has been re-elected as Leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the Parliament.
- Ska Keller has been elected as co-Leader of the Green Party group in the Parliament.
- José Inácio Faria has left the ALDE group for the EPP in the Parliament.
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