Select committee chairs: business and trade Liam Byrne (Cabinet minister under the last Labour government, defeated mayoral candidate 2021, left opposition frontbench due to bullying allegations inter alia) versus Matt Western (2017 intake, shadow minister who didn't make it.

"I'm afraid there is no chair post"

Culture and Media (Conservative): Caroline Dineage, the incumbent chair, is re-elected unopposed. Surprising only in that it's a job with a lot of freebies attached. (And also an important economic brief but, you know, let's be realistic here about the appeal of this one.)

Also a West Mids playoff.

Feels like the leadership would have a favourite here, and someone they'll feel obliged to make up with

Mildly interesting that Western hasn't gone for something more directly related to his previous brief, given it's not exactly going to be a dull topic for select committees.

Thank you for this helpful thread (especially re the Tories)

What about the International Development Select Committee? Any news?

Both Midlands MPs with automotive manufacturing interests locally as well.