Deputy Speaker
Nigel was elected as one of three Deputy Speakers in January 2020 and continues to fulfil this role.
The Deputy Speakers are elected by MPs to assist the Speaker in chairing debates in the Chamber and to perform a range of other duties. Like the Speaker they must be politically impartial, but are provided with special access to ministers to raise the issues of their constituents.
Select Committees
Due to Nigel's position as Deputy Speaker he is no longer able to hold membership of Select Committees, in order to protect the impartiality of the Chair. However, prior to Nigel's election he was a very active member of Parliament, and involved in the following Select Committees:
International Trade Select Committee - Established in 2016, this committee oversees the operations of the Department for International Trade and its associated public bodies, and seeks to ensure that the actions of the department promote the UK's trade and prosperity after the UK withdraws from the EU single market.
International Development Select Committee - The remit of the committee is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for International Development and its associated public bodies, and scrutinise whether the UK's aid budget is spent in an efficient and productive way.
Panel of Chairs
Nigel is a member of the Panel of Chairs, who are members of the House of Commons responsible for chairing public bill committees and other General Committees, as well as debates in Westminster Hall.
Parliamentary Organisations
British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union - Nigel was on the Executive Committee of the BGIPU, an organisation which seeks to promote and consolidate Britain's interests abroad and engage parliamentarians in key global issues, and advance the role that parliamentarians can play in international affairs.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch - Nigel was on the executive committee of the CPA, an organisation with a specific focus on parliamentary diplomacy and democracy strengthening activities between commonwealth countries.
Council Of Europe - Nigel was a member of the Council of Europe, with responsibilities such as being the rapporteur on Turkey, which included observing the recent referendum in the country.
Whilst Nigel no longer holds these positions, he continues to follow and support the work of each of these organisations, maintaining his interest and commitment to international affairs.
All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG's)
Nigel has been active in numerous APPGs in the past, holding the position of Chair or Vice Chair in several groups. Whilst his position as Deputy Speaker means he is no longer able to be such an active member of APPGs, Nigel maintains an interest and follows the work of many APPGs including the following:
Taiwan APPG (Previous Chair) - The British Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group was founded in 1976 and has since become one of the largest parliamentary groups of its kind. Its purpose is to facilitate the bilateral relations of the United Kingdom and Taiwan, which includes the promotion of trade, mutual understanding and cultural associations between the two countries.
China APPG (Previous Vice Chair) - The APPG for China was established in 1997 to widen the parliamentary contribution to the UK-China bilateral relationship. Its mission is to ensure parliamentarians are kept well informed on China, and to act as a platform for discussions on all issues of importance to the UK-China relationship.
Brexpats APPG (Previous Co-Chair) - Representing in Parliament the 1.2 million expats in continental Europe and the 3m continental European citizens living in the UK to address their concerns during and post Brexit around issues such as: healthcare, pensions, property, education, telecommunications, travel, legal matters, dual nationality relationships and other areas where they will be affected on Britain exiting the European Union.
Other APPG's - Nigel was a member of several more APPG's, including Leasehold Reform, Air Ambulances, Child and Youth Crime, Film Industry, Music, Tourism Leisure and Hospitality, Morocco and the APPG for Latin America
Nigel now serves as Honorary President in the following groups, closing monitoring and support their work:
Space APPG (President) - The parliamentary space committee was created to raise awareness in Parliament of the importance and opportunities of space based capabilities to the UK economy, policy making, society and the space community; to highlight and promote the benefits from the UK's investment in space and its leading role within the global space economy.
Beer APPG (President) - The purpose of the Beer APPG is to promote the wholesomeness and enjoyment of beer and the unique role of the pub in UK society; to increase understanding of the social, cultural and historic role of brewing and pubs in the UK and their value to tourism; to broaden recognition of the contribution of brewing and pubs to employment and to the UK's economy; to promote understanding of the social responsibility exercised by the brewing and pub industries; to support the UK's brewing industry worldwide.
Bahrain (President) - The purpose of the APPG for Bahrain is to foster good relationships between the UK and Bahrain. The group aims to develop friendship and understanding between our countries and promote mutual economic and political aims.