Meacher misses out on chairman’s role

MICHAEL MEACHER MP

Michael Meacher has failed in his bid to become chairman of a powerful House of Commons committee.

The Oldham West and Royton MP was hoping to take over the Public Accounts Committee which scrutinises Government spending.

But in a ballot of MPs he was beaten by Labour MP Margaret Hodge.

Mr Meacher said: “I suspect it was my general position on the centre left of the party which is why I did not win.

“If you look through the list of MPs appointed, the Brownites and Blairites still dominate and I suspect the Tories took little interest in voting.

“I think the left of centre is still the weakest position in the party but I think this will begin to change with the renewal and new leadership as I believe we will gather momentum at party conference.”

Backed by the investigations of the National Audit Office, the PAC is regarded as Westminster’s most prestigious select committee, and its reports frequently set the political agenda by exposing concerns over spending by Government bodies.

Its chair is always occupied by a senior MP from the main opposition party.