‘The Commonwealth has never been more important’ Dame Meg Hillier MP has said. The Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch was speaking ahead of the Tynwald Commonwealth Day dinner on Friday 14, at which she was guest speaker.

She said that at a time of geopolitical uncertainty ‘the Commonwealth family was a strength on which to draw and from which to learn’, and she called for the organisation to be ‘robustly supported’.

Dame Meg has served as an MP continually since May 2005 and her political career has been distinguished by her roles in financial oversight. From 2015-2024 she was Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and is now Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, the body that examines the expenditure, administration and policy of HM Treasury, HM Revenue & Customs, and associated public bodies, including the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority. She also chairs the Liaison Committee, which is comprised of all select committee chairs and considers the overall work of select committees, promotes effective scrutiny of government, and questions the Prime Minister. She explained: ‘The committee currently has the opportunity to question the Prime Minister three times a year, but we’re looking to extend that to four.

‘As Chair of the Treasury Select Committee I have been blessed to have been able to build a diverse and strong team of Members who bring different perspectives to our work, which is to ensure value for money in matters of government spending. As well as looking retrospectively and drawing on those findings, we’re working in “real time”, trying to catch things as they happen and avoid waste and inefficiency.’

Of her role as Liaison Committee chair she said: ‘There are 31 select committees with Members able to “guest” on other committees. This is really helpful as it means we can spread expertise around.

‘I believe that parliamentarians should always remember whom they serve – the people. In these difficult economic times, when public services are being cut back and many households are facing financial hardship, it’s important that we recognise what matters to people. In our financial oversight role, we’re the conduit between the people and government. We serve as the ‘voice’ of the public.’

A firm believer in ‘knocking on people’s doors and hearing what constituents have to say’ she said: ‘Hackney South and Shoreditch is a very diverse community – it’s right on the edge of the City of London – where people speak to me with no filter, which is great.’

Turning to the Commonwealth she said: ‘The Commonwealth is a huge asset and, for those parliamentarians who sit on public accounts committees, the Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committees (CAPAC) provides a vital international network for sharing information and learning from each other. Very often it’s less about what is value for money, rather it’s about how do we go about achieving value for money? To be able to share that kind of workload across the organisation is invaluable. In short, the connections and alliances the Commonwealth creates are enormously powerful.’

In 2024 the Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Juan Watterson SHK, was appointed CAPAC Chair. He said: ‘It’s a great honour to follow such illustrious company as Dame Meg. The Isle of Man can be rightly proud of the role we have played over many years in supporting and developing the Commonwealth family.

‘Meg’s insights on scrutiny of public finances, as well as British politics, will doubtless be as enjoyable as they are informative.’

Pictured: Dame Meg Hillier MP with Speaker of the House of Keys the Hon Juan Watterson SHK and Sarah Maltby MHK. (Photo courtesy Sarah  Maltby MHK)

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For further information contact:

Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas
IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685511
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im