Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond today put his name forward to lead the Treasury Select Committee.
The post, one of the most important non-ministerial roles in politics, became vacant when incumbent Andrew Tyrie announced that he would not seek re-election for his Chichester seat at the June 8 election.
Mr Hammond said his experience working in financial markets for more than 20 years would aid him were he to become chairman of one of the most important select committees in parliament.
He said: “In this Parliament the Committee will play a vital role in scrutinising the Government as it negotiates our exit from the European Union.
“The Committee will need to analyse and comment on the economic, financial and social ramifications of any proposed outcomes to the negotiations.”
As well as the key roles of scrutinising the actions of the Chancellor, the Treasury and the Bank of England, Mr Hammond said he would aim to open up the topics covered by the committee to include issues raised by individual MPs.
He said: “I am keen to ensure the Committee considers undertaking enquiries of interest submitted by any Member of the House, and I have already received suggestions for work on the barriers to competition in personal banking and the economic geography of infrastructure.”
Mr Hammond was previously a Transport minister and a parliamentary private secretary.
So far fellow Conservatives John Penrose and Jacob Rees-Mogg have publicly confirmed that they are also seeking the chairmanship.
