Iain Stewart appointed as chair of the Transport Select Committee

Iain Stewart has been appointed as the new chair of the Transport Select Committee.

The MP for Milton Keynes South takes over the position, which was left vacant when Huw Merriman, the new rail minister, was appointed to his new post.

Six candidates were nominated for the role of Chair, triggering an election between:

• Jack Brereton
• Jackie Doyle-Price
• Katherine Fletcher
• Chris Loder
• Karl McCartney
• Iain Stewart

Stewart has been a member of the TSC for six years, in which time has been involved in a wide range of inquiries, including HS2 and rail technology. He also has direct experience in the sector, having spent time as a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Transport (Patrick McLoughlin) between 2013 and 2015. He was also commissioned by former MHCLG Secretary of State (Sajid Javid) to research and write a report on East-West Rail and the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Arc in 2018 and gained a Fellowship in Rail Transport with Industry & Parliament Trust. 

He has commented on his appointment, saying: “I am delighted to have been entrusted by the House to chair this vital committee and thank all who supported me.

“I have a real passion for, and experience in, transport issues and I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues on the committee to complete the existing programme of work and establish fresh inquiries.

“I want the committee both to scrutinise and hold to account government, agencies and operators, but also to do important horizon-scanning proactive work into future opportunities and challenges.

In response to his appointment, Andy Bagnall, chief executive of Rail Partners, said: “We welcome the news of Iain Stewart’s appointment as the new chair of the Transport Select Committee. He brings a wealth of experience as a former member of the Committee and also as DfT’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, and we wish him well in his tenure.

“The Committee plays a vital scrutiny role as the railway responds to the challenges it faces. Rail Partners and its members look forward to working with the Committee to ensure the opportunity of reform is maximised in the interest of passengers, freight customers and taxpayers.”

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