Edward Leigh Will Chair Party Policy Committee on Foreign Affairs

A system of backbench policy committee is being revived within the Conservative Party now that it is back in government and local parliamentarian Edward Leigh it can be revealed is to Chair the committee on Foreign Affairs.

The 1922 Committee, has opted to create five committees covering broad areas of government policy, rather than have one for every single government department - which was the system that operated previously. The committee will likely play a significant role both in policy formation and acting as a channel of communication between backbenchers and ministers.

Alan Clark wrote in his diaries, exalting in his victory over Julian Critchley in the contest for the Vice-Chairmanship of the backbench Defence Committee.

"It's no good just having the Left or Right "whipped" vote behind you,"

"You have to be able to pick up something from the uncommitted. Conversely, of course, it's no use just being one of the uncommitted because however well-liked you are, you are bound to get squeezed."

The elections for the chairmen of these committees have just taken place and It can now be revealed that the following have been chosen to serve by their peers:

• Economic Affairs - John Redwood MP (Wokingham)
• Home and Constitutional Affairs - Eleanor Laing MP (Epping Forest)
• Foreign Affairs - Edward Leigh MP (Gainsborough)
• Public Services - Andrew Percy (Brigg & Goole)
• Environment - Neil Parish MP (Tiverton and Honiton)

GE2010: General Election Campaign Begins

Gordon Brown will announce this morning that the general election will, as expected, be held on Thursday 6th May 2010 and coinside with local government elections to West Lindsey District and Lincoln City Councils.

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown MP, is expected to go to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament around 10 o'clock this morning. On returning from the Palace the Prime Minister will formally confirm the date and make a speech in Downing Street in which he will dub the election 'the big choice'.

Mr Brown is expected to say:

"The people have fought too hard to get Britain on the road to recovery to allow anybody to take us back to the road to recession."

The economy, taxation and public services will be key battlegrounds. The campaign will also feature, for the first time, live television debates between the three main party leaders. It will be the first time that Mr Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg have led their respective parties into a general election.

Locally the key battlegrounds will be the Cleethorpes, Brigg & Goole and Lincoln constituencies.