1922 Committee
Encyclopedia
In British politics, the 1922 Committee is a committee of Conservative
Members of Parliament
. Voting membership is limited to backbench
MPs although frontbench Conservative MPs have an open invitation to attend meetings. While the party was in opposition, frontbench MPs other than the party leader could also attend its meetings. The Committee meets every week while Parliament
is in session, and provides a way for Conservative backbenchers to determine their views independently of frontbenchers, as well as playing an important role in the choosing of the party leader.
by writing to the chairman, Sir Michael Spicer. Duncan Smith lost the vote the next day.
. Contrary to popular belief, it does not stem from the famous 1922 meeting
in which Conservative MPs successfully demanded that the party withdraw from the coalition government of David Lloyd George
. The resolution passed at the meeting triggered a general election
which the Conservative Party won; the many new Conservative MPs who were elected for the first time formed the 'Conservative Private Members' Committee' to discuss and influence political events. Hence the MPs who founded the Committee were not the ones who had taken the decision to break up the Coalition government. After the 1923 and 1924 elections the membership expanded as more new Conservative MPs were elected, and in 1926 all backbench
members were invited to become members.
between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat
parties, the party leader and newly-appointed Prime Minister, David Cameron
, suggested altering the 1922 Committee to include ministers
(frontbenchers) in the decision making process, angering some backbench MPs. On 20 May 2010, the 1922 Committee members voted to approve the change, with 168 votes in favour and 118 against. Many backbench party members did criticise the move and voted against it, whilst Ministers had deemed it necessary to continue operating the party during its membership of a coalition
government. However, it was revealed shortly after the vote that whilst frontbenchers would be able to attend meetings of the Committee, it would continue that only backbenchers would be able to vote for its officers and executive committee.
With both backbenchers and frontbenchers able to attend meetings, the 1922 Committee now encompasses all sitting Conservative members of the House of Commons
, although frontbench members attend by invitation and cannot participate in elections and is similar to the Parliamentary Labour Party
.
In July, 2011, after addressing the House of Commons in the wake of James
and Rupert Murdoch
's parliamentary testimony in the News International phone hacking scandal, Cameron was reported to have been received enthusiastically by the Committee, later that night. Another report on that show of support, however, noted that "reporters ... outside" were a probably intended audience for the show and that Cameron's support amongst Tories was still at least to some degree shaken by the News International-related events. "Many [party members in Commons] complain," according to the reporter without naming names, "that they cannot use the 1922 Committee ... without being briefed against for doing so."
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Members of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
. Voting membership is limited to backbench
Backbencher
In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislator who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition...
MPs although frontbench Conservative MPs have an open invitation to attend meetings. While the party was in opposition, frontbench MPs other than the party leader could also attend its meetings. The Committee meets every week while Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
is in session, and provides a way for Conservative backbenchers to determine their views independently of frontbenchers, as well as playing an important role in the choosing of the party leader.
Committee constitutional matters
The 1922 Committee has an 18-member executive committee, the chairman of which must oversee any election of a new party leader, or any vote of confidence in respect of the current one; such a vote can be triggered by 15 percent of Conservative MPs writing a letter to the chairman asking for such a vote. This process was invoked most recently on 28 October 2003, when 25 MPs requested a vote of confidence in party leader Iain Duncan SmithIain Duncan Smith
George Iain Duncan Smith is a British Conservative politician. He is currently the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and was previously leader of the Conservative Party from September 2001 to October 2003...
by writing to the chairman, Sir Michael Spicer. Duncan Smith lost the vote the next day.
Origins
The committee was formed in 1923, but takes its name from the 1922 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1922
The United Kingdom general election of 1922 was held on 15 November 1922. It was the first election held after most of the Irish counties left the United Kingdom to form the Irish Free State, and was won by Andrew Bonar Law's Conservatives, who gained an overall majority over Labour, led by John...
. Contrary to popular belief, it does not stem from the famous 1922 meeting
Carlton Club meeting, 19 October 1922
The Carlton Club meeting on 19 October 1922 was a formal meeting of Members of Parliament who belonged to the Conservative Party, called to discuss whether the party should remain in government in coalition with a section of the Liberal Party under the leadership of Liberal Prime Minister David...
in which Conservative MPs successfully demanded that the party withdraw from the coalition government of David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
. The resolution passed at the meeting triggered a general election
United Kingdom general election, 1922
The United Kingdom general election of 1922 was held on 15 November 1922. It was the first election held after most of the Irish counties left the United Kingdom to form the Irish Free State, and was won by Andrew Bonar Law's Conservatives, who gained an overall majority over Labour, led by John...
which the Conservative Party won; the many new Conservative MPs who were elected for the first time formed the 'Conservative Private Members' Committee' to discuss and influence political events. Hence the MPs who founded the Committee were not the ones who had taken the decision to break up the Coalition government. After the 1923 and 1924 elections the membership expanded as more new Conservative MPs were elected, and in 1926 all backbench
Backbencher
In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislator who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition...
members were invited to become members.
Under David Cameron
On 19 May 2010, shortly after the formation of a coalition governmentCameron Ministry
David Cameron is Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after being invited by Queen Elizabeth II to form a new government after the resignation as Prime Minister of Gordon Brown on 11 May 2010. Leading a coalition government formed by the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, the coalition...
between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
parties, the party leader and newly-appointed Prime Minister, David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
, suggested altering the 1922 Committee to include ministers
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
(frontbenchers) in the decision making process, angering some backbench MPs. On 20 May 2010, the 1922 Committee members voted to approve the change, with 168 votes in favour and 118 against. Many backbench party members did criticise the move and voted against it, whilst Ministers had deemed it necessary to continue operating the party during its membership of a coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
government. However, it was revealed shortly after the vote that whilst frontbenchers would be able to attend meetings of the Committee, it would continue that only backbenchers would be able to vote for its officers and executive committee.
With both backbenchers and frontbenchers able to attend meetings, the 1922 Committee now encompasses all sitting Conservative members of the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, although frontbench members attend by invitation and cannot participate in elections and is similar to the Parliamentary Labour Party
Parliamentary Labour Party
In UK politics, the Parliamentary Labour Party is the parliamentary party of the Labour Party in Parliament: Labour MPs as a collective body....
.
In July, 2011, after addressing the House of Commons in the wake of James
James Murdoch (media executive)
James Rupert Jacob Murdoch is the younger son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and currently serves as chairman and chief executive of News Corporation, Europe, and Asia, overseeing assets such as News International , SKY Italia , Sky Deutschland, and STAR TV .He sits on the News...
and Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's parliamentary testimony in the News International phone hacking scandal, Cameron was reported to have been received enthusiastically by the Committee, later that night. Another report on that show of support, however, noted that "reporters ... outside" were a probably intended audience for the show and that Cameron's support amongst Tories was still at least to some degree shaken by the News International-related events. "Many [party members in Commons] complain," according to the reporter without naming names, "that they cannot use the 1922 Committee ... without being briefed against for doing so."
Current members
The full 1922 committee membership (February 2011). comprises:- Chairman
- Graham BradyGraham BradyGraham Stuart Brady is a British Conservative Party politician and the Member of Parliament for Altrincham and Sale West. He served as a shadow minister for Europe under four Conservative leaders before resigning in 2007 in protest at David Cameron's opposition to grammar schools...
- Graham Brady
- Vice Chairmen
- Charles Walker
- John WhittingdaleJohn WhittingdaleJohn Flasby Lawrance Whittingdale OBE, , is a Conservative politician in the United Kingdom. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1992.-Education:...
- Secretaries
- Mark Pritchard
- Christopher ChopeChristopher ChopeChristopher Robert Chope OBE is a British barrister and Conservative politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Christchurch.-Early life:...
- Treasurer
- Brian BinleyBrian BinleyBrian Arthur Roland Binley is a British Conservative politician, and the Member of Parliament for Northampton South.-Early life:...
- Brian Binley
- Executive Members:
- David AmessDavid AmessDavid Anthony Andrew Amess is a British Conservative Party politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1983, first for Basildon, and since 1997 for Southend West.-Early life:...
- Gavin BarwellGavin BarwellGavin Laurence Barwell is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Croydon Central since the 2010 general election.He is also the Head Governor of Trinity School in Croydon.-Education:...
- Peter BonePeter BonePeter William Bone is a British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament for Wellingborough and Rushden.-Personal life:Bone was born in 1952 in Billericay and was educated at Westcliff-on-Sea High School for Boys...
- Julian BrazierJulian BrazierJulian William Hendy Brazier TD is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Canterbury...
- Tracey CrouchTracey CrouchTracey Elizabeth Anne Crouch is a British Conservative Party politician. She is Member of Parliament for Chatham and Aylesford, having won the seat at the 2010 election.-Education:...
- Philip DaviesPhilip DaviesPhilip Andrew Davies is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Shipley in West Yorkshire.-Early life:...
- Charlie ElphickeCharlie ElphickeCharles Brett Anthony Elphicke is a British Conservative Party politician. He is Member of Parliament for the Dover & Deal constituency...
- Robert HalfonRobert HalfonRobert Henry Halfon is a British Conservative politician. He is the current Member of Parliament for Harlow, and was first elected at the 2010 general election.-Early life:...
- Bernard JenkinBernard JenkinBernard Christison Jenkin is a politician in the United Kingdom, and the current Member of Parliament for Harwich and North Essex...
- Priti PatelPriti PatelPriti Patel is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. First elected in the 2010 general election, she is the Member of Parliament for the Witham constituency, and an officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel group....
- Nicholas SoamesNicholas SoamesArthur Nicholas Winston Soames MP , known as Nicholas Soames, is a British Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the constituency of Mid Sussex....
- Andrew Turner
- David Amess
Chairmen
- Sir Gervais RentoulGervais RentoulSir Gervais Squire Chittick Rentoul K.C.,M.A. , commonly known as Gervais Rentoul, was a British Conservative politician....
KC (1923 – 1932) - William Shepherd Morrison, 1st Viscount DunrossilWilliam Morrison, 1st Viscount DunrossilWilliam Shepherd Morrison, 1st Viscount Dunrossil, GCMG, MC, KStJ, PC, QC , the 14th Governor-General of Australia, was born in Scotland and educated at George Watson's College and the University of Edinburgh. He joined the British Army in the First World War and served with an artillery regiment...
GCMGOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
KStJ PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
QCQueen's CounselQueen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(1932 – 1935) - Hugh O'Neill, 1st Baron RathcavanHugh O'Neill, 1st Baron RathcavanRobert William Hugh O'Neill, 1st Baron Rathcavan PC , known as Sir Hugh O'Neill, Bt, from 1929 to 1953, was an Ulster Unionist member of both the UK Parliament and the Parliament of Northern Ireland....
PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(1935 – 1939) - Patrick Spens, 1st Baron SpensPatrick Spens, 1st Baron SpensWilliam Patrick Spens, 1st Baron Spens KBE, PC, KC , was a British lawyer, judge and Conservative politician. He served as Chief Justice of India from 1943 to 1947....
KBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
, KC (1939 – 1940) - Sir Alexander Galloway Erskine-Hill, 1st BaronetSir Alexander Erskine-Hill, 1st BaronetSir Alexander Galloway Erskine Erskine-Hill, 1st Baronet was a Scottish Unionist Party politician.He was Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North from 1935 to 1945....
(1940 – 1944) - Sir John McEwen, 1st BaronetSir John McEwen, 1st BaronetSir John Helias Finnie McEwen, 1st Baronet , was a Scottish Unionist politician.McEwen was the son of Robert Finnie McEwen. He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. He served in the Cameron Highlanders in the First World War. After the war he joined the Diplomatic Service...
(1944 – 1945) - Arnold Gridley, 1st Baron GridleyArnold Gridley, 1st Baron GridleyArnold Babb Gridley, 1st Baron Gridley KBE , was a British Conservative Member of Parliament .Gridley was the son of Edward Gridley of Abbey Dore in Herefordshire. He worked as a consulting engineer but later turned to politics...
KBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1946 – 1951) - Derek Colclough Walker-Smith, Baron Broxbourne PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
, TDTerritorial DecorationThe Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
, QCQueen's CounselQueen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, Bt.BaronetA baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
(1951 – 1955) - John Morrison, 1st Baron MargadaleJohn Morrison, 1st Baron MargadaleMajor John Granville Morrison, 1st Baron Margadale, TD, DL was a British Conservative Party politician.He was appointed High Sheriff of Wiltshire for 1938 and was Member of Parliament for Salisbury from 1942 until 1965....
TDTerritorial DecorationThe Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
, DLDeputy LieutenantIn the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(1955 – 1964) - William Anstruther-Gray, Baron Kilmany BtBaronetA baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(1964 – 1966) - Arthur Vere Harvey, Baron Harvey of PrestburyArthur Vere HarveyAir Commodore Arthur Vere Harvey, Baron Harvey of Prestbury CBE was a British Conservative politician, and Member of Parliament for 26 years....
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1966 – 1970) - Sir Harry Legge-BourkeHarry Legge-BourkeMajor Sir Edward Alexander Henry Legge-Bourke KBE was a British politician.He served alongside Jock Colville as a Page of Honour from 1926. Educated at Eton College and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Legge-Bourke was commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards in 1934. He served there throughout...
KBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1970 – 1972) - Sir Edward du CannEdward du CannSir Edward Dillon Lott du Cann is a retired politician from the United Kingdom. He was a Member of Parliament from 1956–87, and served as Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1965–67, and Chairman of party's 1922 Committee from 1972-84.Du Cann was educated at Colet Court, Woodbridge School and...
(1972 – 1984) - Cranley Onslow, Baron Onslow of WokingCranley OnslowCranley Gordon Douglas Onslow, Baron Onslow of Woking KCMG PC was a British politician and served as the Conservative MP for Woking from 1964 to 1997....
KCMGOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(1984 – 1992) - Sir Marcus FoxMarcus FoxSir John Marcus Fox MBE was a British Conservative Party politician. He served as the Member of Parliament for Shipley from 1970 to 1997. He was chairman of the 1922 Committee and he directly oversaw candidate selection for the Conservative Party in the 1979 General Election.-Early life:Fox had...
MBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1992 – 1997) - Archie Hamilton, Baron Hamilton of EpsomArchie Hamilton, Baron Hamilton of EpsomArchibald Gavin Hamilton, Baron Hamilton of Epsom, PC is a British Conservative Party politician.-Background and education:...
PCPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(1997 – 2001) - Michael Spicer, Baron Spicer PC KtKnight BachelorThe rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
(2001 – 2010)
Secretaries
- Sir Victor GoodhewVictor GoodhewSir Victor Henry Goodhew was a British politician. He was Conservative Member of Parliament for St Albans for 24 years, from 1959 to 1983, and was an early member of the Conservative Monday Club...
(1979–1983) - Jill Knight, Baroness Knight of Collingtree DBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1983–1987)
External links
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/a-z_of_parliament/82575.stm