New Transport Secretary

Chris Grayling MP has been made the new Transport Secretary following Theresa May’s recent reshuffle of the Cabinet. Chris replaces Patrick McLoughlin MP, who is now Conservative Party Chairman and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Chris Grayling represents Epsom and Ewell and was the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport between December 2005 to July 2007. His past posts in government have included Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions), Shadow Minister (Home Affairs) and Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He was a member of the Transport Committee between July to December 2002; the Transport, Local Government and The Regions from July 2001 to July 2002 and the Transport Sub-committee from July 2001 to July 2002.

Chief Executive of Bus Users, Claire Walters, said, ‘Buses are the most used form of public transport in the UK and we hope Mr Grayling will make them a priority when it comes to transport policy.’

Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport, Stephen Joseph, said, ‘There’s a tendency for transport policy and spending to be dominated by big infrastructure projects, we hope the new Transport Secretary will focus more on people’s everyday transport needs, such as filling potholes, reversing cuts in local buses, improving public transport and increasing walking and cycling. Transport is important politically because it impacts directly on people’s everyday lives and we hope the new Transport Secretary acts as a champion for a sustainable transport system that works for communities across the country.’

Joining Chris at DfT will be John Hayes MP, who has become the Department’s Minister of State. Andrew Jones MP remains the Parliamentary Under Secretary. Further changes in Government following Theresa May’s reshuffle include Phillip Hammond being made Chancellor of the Exchequer, replacing George Osborne. David Davis has become the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whilst Liam Fox is the new Secretary of State for International Trade, amongst other changes. The press made much of the announcement that Boris Johnson, who whilst Mayor of London led the initiative to introduce New Routemasters, was named Foreign Secretary.