Minister for Transport, and Ministers of State, at the Department for Transport

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

Boris Johnson, because the segregated superhighways now being built in London are the best thing any senior British politician has ever done for cycling, and they need to be rolled out nationwide. (But I don't expect it to happen.)

Since he is also still Mayor of Landon for another year(?) I think that rules him out as a minster for the time being.

[Oberon]

I suppose the pertinent question to ask is who is there in the Conservative party who actually cares about railways? I think Claire Perry does but it would be too much to ask for her to be elevated to Secretary of State prominence.

Come back Michael Portillo, all is forgiven..

[grahame]

I suppose the pertinent question to ask is who is there in the Conservative party who actually cares about railways? I think Claire Perry does but it would be too much to ask for her to be elevated to Secretary of State prominence.

I have often expressed a view that the ministers are swapped around far too often - certainly in Transport major capital plans and reforms take a long time, and it would be sensible to give them a fair crack of the whip.  Patrick McLoughlin comes with an excellent reputation and I've had the privilege of meeting Claire Perry and she's very well briefed, very much "with it", on the side of rail [iI think] (but potentially clever enough to appear to be on the opposite side in other company.  Also prepared to take difficult stances / decisions which you / I / we / others may not agree with or anticipate.

[chuffed]

Boris Minster, mayor of Landon ..is that a new tourist attraction as described by someone  cold calling on a phone from the Indian subcontinent ??

[chuffed]

So the SoS is confimed as staying in post. I think that's a good move as he has been a safe pair of hands, and actually seems to enjoy the job, as opposed to his predecessor, Justine Greening who rarely, if ever smiled. I think Claire Perry may well be in line to be promoted to Minister of State in place of Baroness Kramer.

[Timmer]

I agree, a good move. Was a time when the Transport Secretary's office was a revolving door which isn't good for continuity. There are challenges ahead though particularly Network Rail who have had a lot of bad press these past few months.

[ChrisB]

Amongst the cuts is likely to be CP6^▸ (Control Period 6 - The five year period between 2019 and 2024) I reckon.

[TonyK]

So the SoS is confimed as staying in post. I think that's a good move as he has been a safe pair of hands, and actually seems to enjoy the job, as opposed to his predecessor, Justine Greening who rarely, if ever smiled. I think Claire Perry may well be in line to be promoted to Minister of State in place of Baroness Kramer.

Justine Greening was, however, reported to have been upset and livid when moved from transport to overseas development. Probably more to do with the apparent demotion than love of the job.

[chuffed]

Claire Perry remains as parliamentary under secretary...thought she might be elevated to Minister with the sideways move of John Hayes. Andrew Jones is an additional under secretary, He comes to the department having chaired  the electrification task force in Northern Ireland.
It seems to be that we have the most pro rail team at the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) since the Adonis years. The SoS makes no secret of his enthusiam for rail, Robert Goodwill owns several steam traction engines, the 'Sentinel' steam lorry and has helped return the pleasure steamer Coronia to Scarborough. Even though none of these actually run on rail, I think we can clearly see where his interests lie ! !As grahame has mentioned Claire seems to be well on top of rail matters. So all in all I think we can look forward to a very interesting five years. Let's hope they all stand firm in the face of threatened cuts.

[Kernow Otter]

I wonder how much closer we will be to the Dawlish avoiding line by the next election...

[TonyK]

I wonder how much closer we will be to the Dawlish avoiding line by the next election...

I think we will be nearer to avoiding the Dawlish line...

[paul7575]

I expect they'll be avoiding the decision, not the place...

Paul

[TonyK]

What I meant, really. Although I can't see Dawlish getting much ministerial notice now there are no votes to be won major problems.

[chuffed]

We have an extra body at the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about). Never come across him before.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and Home Office

[ironstone11]

We have an extra body at the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about). Never come across him before.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and Home Office

From https://www.gov.uk/government/people/lord-ahmad-of-wimbledon

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and Home Office

The minister^s transport responsibilities are:

    aviation security
    transport agencies
    corporate and better regulation
    skills and supply chain
    London

The minister^s Home Office responsibilities are to be confirmed.