Southend West Conservative MP David Amess has been re-elected to the Executive Committee of the party’s influential 1922 Committee.
The 1922 Committee has an 18-member executive committee. The chairman of this executive oversees the election of new party leaders or votes of confidence in current leaders.
The 1922 Committee was the subject of heated debate within the Conservative Party earlier this year. Traditionally, the membership of the committee was limited to backbench MPs, giving backbenchers the opportunity to decide their position independently from the frontbench.
On 20th May this year, however, after the formation of the Con-Dem Coalition, the Conservatives voted to change the makeup of the committee, allowing ministers to be involved in its decision-making process.
Several backbenchers opposed the change. It was revealed after the change was brought in, however, that frontbenchers would be able to attend the committee’s meetings, but only backbenchers would be able to vote for its officers and executive.
David Amess, MP for Southend West, has been re-elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee.
Mr Amess said: “I feel very honoured to have won the support of my colleagues to continue as a member of the Executive Committee.
“I look forward to working with colleagues for the duration of this Parliament.”
