Heidi Alexander has been appointed as the UK’s new transport secretary following the resignation of Louise Haigh on 29 November 2024.
Alexander, the Labour MP for Swindon South, previously served as minister of state for courts and legal services at the UK Ministry of Justice.
Her experience includes serving as deputy mayor of London for transport under Sadiq Khan from 2018 to 2021.
Haigh’s resignation came after revelations of a 2014 conviction for fraud by misrepresentation.
In 2013, while working for Aviva, Haigh reported her work mobile phone as stolen following a mugging.
She later discovered the phone at her home but failed to inform authorities promptly.
When the phone was activated, police traced it, leading to her conviction.
Haigh described the incident as a “genuine mistake” and received a conditional discharge.
She disclosed the conviction to Labour leader Keir Starmer in 2020 upon her appointment as shadow Northern Ireland secretary.
In her resignation letter, Haigh expressed regret and emphasised her desire to avoid distracting from the government’s work.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer acknowledged Haigh’s contributions, noting her efforts in advancing the government’s transport agenda, including the creation of Great British Railways and investments in bus services.
According to government sources, Alexander’s appointment brings a wealth of experience in transport policy, positioning her to lead the UK Department for Transport effectively.
