New Shadow Transport Secretary reveals his ambitions

The new Shadow Transport Secretary says they must not lose sight of the day to day concerns of millions.

Jim McMahon was revealed earlier this week in the post in new Labour leader Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet.

He takes over from Andy McDonald.

Mr McMahon was a councillor in Oldham for 13 years and served as council leader, welcoming in the new Greater Manchester Metrolink system to the town.

He served on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority with lead responsibility for Transport before moving to Parliament to become an MP in 2015.

Jim, who consistently lobbied for investment in local bus reform, rail franchising and light rail expansion, leading debates in parliament, said: “I’m delighted and humbled to join the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport and thankful to Keir for the opportunity. This is an exciting time to serve our movement, I can’t wait to get started with Labour’s transport team and build upon the work of my predecessor Andy McDonald.

“Transport is critical to our economy and society, for both to succeed we must plan well in advance. As much as the big-ticket schemes are important, we must not lose sight of the day to day concerns of millions; the quality of their local public transport services. I look forward to supporting important key infrastructure projects which place us well in the long term, but also to consider how every village, town and city is served too.

“I’ve loved my time as a Shadow Minister for Local Government, and I’d like to thank all those I worked with in the Shadow CLG team including my former bosses Andrew Gwynne and Teresa Pearce.”

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “On behalf of the Railway Industry Association and our members I would like to welcome Jim McMahon to his position as the new Shadow Transport Secretary.

“The Coronavirus outbreak provides a real challenge to the railways, and the UK rail industry is working hard to overcome these challenges. Whether maintaining the existing network or building, safely, the world-class railway we all want to see for the future, rail suppliers really are working flat-out to ensure key workers and resources can move across the country, and to support the economy. They have all of our gratitude at this most difficult of times.

“Both through the Coronavirus outbreak and afterwards, we look forward to working closely with the new Shadow Transport Secretary, to ensure there is a strong rail supply sector that supports passengers, freight services and the UK plc, its economy and connectivity more widely, in the months and years ahead.

“I would also, on behalf of RIA and our members, like to offer sincere thanks to outgoing Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald, who was very supportive of, and accessible to, the rail supply sector and a strong advocate of providing a consistent, visible pipeline of work for the railway industry. We congratulate him on his new role as Shadow Employment Rights Secretary and look forward to continuing to work with him in Parliament.”

Photo credit: Labour

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