Who will be the next chair of the Treasury select committee?

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Nicky Morgan leaves 10 Downing Street following the first cabinet meeting with new Prime minister Boris Johnson on July 25, 2019 in London, England. Britain's New Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, appointed his Cabinet yesterday evening with 17 of Theresa May's Ministers replaced. The number of Leave supporting Ministers doubled from six to 12 and 31 Ministers are now entitled to attend Cabinet. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

The elevation of Nicky Morgan to cabinet has created a vacancy for one of the biggest jobs open to backbench Conservatives: chair of the Treasury select committee. As Boris Johnson charts a course for a no-deal Brexit, Morgan’s successor will have a pulpit from which to hold ministers and Whitehall to account over the policy that will define his government.

So who might succeed the new Culture Secretary? In recent days, several former Conservative ministers have declared to the New Statesman their intention to run. Though the chairmanship is allocated to the Tories, every MP gets a vote – and as such, Labour MPs will be the crucial swing electorate. They will be looking for a candidate with a history of independent thinking, the capacity to upset the government, and Remain bona fides.