A Conservative MP has taken a novel approach to lobbying MPs to become a select committee chair – by releasing a US-style promotional video.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins is one of four contenders to replace John Whittingdale as chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee. Also planning to run are fellow Tories Jesse Norman, Jason McCartney and Graham Stuart.

In a bid to get support from across the Commons, Collins has produced a 2 minute 24 second film which is not a million miles from a US-style campaign video.

The impressive spot features various newspaper cuts quoting Collins on Fifa corruption, and an appearance alongside Prince Harry at a WW1 centenary event. It concludes:

“Our heritage, culture, media and sport are really important to our national life. And in this film you can see some of my commitment to them. I hope I can have your support in my campaign to be chairman of the select committee.”

While most MPs prefer to lobby colleagues in the relative privacy of the Commons tea room, Collins’s approach appears to be a digital first.

But it should come as no surprise that the Tory MP has the odd trick up his sleeve to win over Parliamentarians....

Not only did he previously spend 10 years at top advertising agency M&C Saatchi, but before entering the Commons in 2010 he also worked for top lobbying firm Lexington Communications.

@singersz