Heidi Alexander has officially been appointed as the new transport secretary by Sir Keir Starmer, taking over from Louise Haigh who resigned due to a past criminal conviction. Ms. Haigh admitted to making a false report to the police about a stolen mobile phone ten years ago, leading to her resignation.
Downing Street did not confirm whether the Prime Minister was aware of Ms. Haigh’s conviction when she was appointed to the role. New information came to light, prompting her resignation. In her place, Heidi Alexander, the MP for Swindon South, has been selected. Alexander previously served as a justice minister and was the MP for Lewisham East from 2010 to 2018.
Questions arose regarding Sir Keir’s judgement in appointing Ms. Haigh to his shadow cabinet in 2020 despite her past offense. It was claimed that Sir Keir knew all the facts about her conviction when he appointed her. However, the Labour leader’s spokesperson stated that her resignation followed the emergence of new information, without specifying what that information entailed.
The incident involving the mobile phone took place when Ms. Haigh was in her twenties, and she reported being mugged on a night out. She later discovered that the phone had not actually been taken, leading to her false report to the police. Ms. Haigh expressed regret for following her solicitor’s advice not to comment during the police interview.
Despite the controversy surrounding her resignation, Ms. Haigh was known for her socialist agenda in transport, advocating for the renationalization of rail and public ownership of buses. She managed to secure significant investments in buses and road repairs, as well as working on the HS2 project. In her resignation letter, she acknowledged her mistake but emphasized her commitment to serving her constituents in Sheffield Heeley.
Sir Keir thanked Ms. Haigh for her contributions and expressed confidence in her future potential to contribute to the government. He praised her efforts in advancing public transportation initiatives and reducing costs for motorists. Despite the circumstances of her departure, he believes she still has a lot to offer in the future.
The appointment of Heidi Alexander as the new transport secretary marks a new chapter in the Department of Transport. As the country continues to navigate transportation challenges, Alexander’s experience and leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of public transportation in the UK. Her background as a justice minister and previous roles in government position her well to take on this important role and continue the work of her predecessor. With her at the helm, the Department of Transport is poised to address pressing issues and drive positive change in the transport sector.
