Nominations open for the Transport Committee Chair

• Transport Committee
• Nomination form for the select committee chairs (docx, 63KB)
• Election of committee chairs briefing note (docx, 63KB)
• How select committees elect Chairs

The Speaker announced the timetable for the elections on July 30. The period of nominations will run until 4pm on Monday 9 September, with the ballot scheduled for Wednesday 11 September.

The new Chair will be elected from the Labour party under the allocation of committee chairs to political parties which was agreed by the House on 30 July 2024.

• Allocation of select committee chairs

Since 2010, most committee chairs have been elected by the whole House, by a system of alternative vote and by secret ballot. To be valid, nominations must contain a signed statement made by the candidate declaring their willingness to stand.

It must be accompanied by the signatures of 15 MPs elected to the Commons as members of the same political party as the candidate (or 10 per cent of the MPs elected to the House as members of that party, whichever is the lower). More than 15 signatures can be collected but only the first 15 valid signatures are printed. Members may only nominate one candidate per select committee.

Nominations may be accompanied by the signatures of up to five MPs elected to the House as members of any party other than to which the chair is allocated or of no party. Similarly, only five such signatures are printed.

Candidates must declare any relevant interests with their nomination. Valid nominations received each day are published with the next day's Order Paper and will be listed below.

Nominations

Candidate: Grahame Morris

Supporters (own party): Andy McDonald, Ian Lavery, Kim Johnson, Mike Amesbury, Chris McDonald, Mary Glindon, Chris Webb, Navendu Mishra, Paula Barker, Steve Witherden, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Kate Osborne, Carolyn Harris, Charlotte Nichols, Mary Kelly Foy

Supporters (other parties or no party): , Greg Smith, Tim Farron, Jim Shannon, Graham Leadbitter, Liz Saville Roberts

Relevant interests declared: Member of the Unite Union; Member of several Parliamentary Trade Union Groups including transport unions: Unite, RMT and ASLEF

Supporting statement:

I ask for your support as I seek to bring my experience, determination, and passion, to the role of Chair of the Transport Select Committee. As we live through an era of rapid change, the Transport Committee requires leadership that can both scrutinise and lobby to bring about positive transformational change transport can offer to strengthen community and local economies.

From my very first job on the railways under British Rail, I have been passionate about the impact transport can make to improve opportunity and life chances. That early experience gave me more than just knowledge—it gave me a practical understanding of the challenges and complexities that underpin this vital part of our national infrastructure. It is a perspective I have carried with me throughout my career, and it is why I remain as committed as ever to ensuring our transport policies deliver for everyone.

For the past 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as an MP, and for the last 6 years, I have been a member of the Transport Select Committee. This role has given me a direct hand in shaping policy, scrutinising decisions, and fighting for a transport system that works for all our communities. I firmly believe that when transport policy is done right, it has the power to transform lives, open up opportunities, and drive economic and social progress.

If I have the honour of being elected as Chair of the Transport Select Committee, I will ensure we continue the rigorous and independent scrutiny for which the committee is known. We must hold the government to account, not out of opposition for opposition’s sake, but because effective oversight leads to better decisions, and better decisions lead to better outcomes for the country.

The challenges we face in the transport sector are enormous—from the long-term impacts of the pandemic to the urgent need to invest in green, sustainable transport solutions. These challenges require more than just talk; they require action, focus, and leadership. I believe my experience equips me to help lead the committee through this crucial period, ensuring we confront these issues with clarity and vision.

Transport will be a defining issue for this Parliament. The decisions we make now on infrastructure investment, tackling regional inequalities, and meeting our climate goals will shape the future of our country for generations. As Chair, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the benefits of transport investment are felt in every corner of the country, from our towns and cities to our villages and rural communities.

I believe I have the experience, the commitment, and the determination to lead this committee through the challenges ahead. I would be honoured to serve in this role, working with colleagues from across the House to ensure that transport continues to be a driving force for economic prosperity, social mobility, and environmental sustainability in our nation. 

Candidate: Fabian Hamilton

Supporters (own party): Alex Sobel, Kim Leadbeater, Nesil Caliskan, Sarah Champion, Emily Thornberry, Mark Sewards, Mohammad Yasin, Jon Trickett, Valerie Vaz, Debbie Abrahams, Florence Eshalomi, Bambos Charalambous, Paul Davies, Andy MacNae, Mr Clive Betts

Supporters (other parties or no party): Alicia Kearns, Dame Karen Bradley, Layla Moran, Brendan O’Hara, Sammy Wilson

Relevant interests declared: None

Supporting statement:

Since my election to Parliament in 1997, I have consistently championed public transport and active travel. I believe that effective public transport systems are vital to economic growth and good jobs, alongside a central focus on active travel which will improve our collective mental and physical health.

These are issues that have plagued successive governments. We must come together to ensure that our constituencies are not impacted by ineffective transport networks.

For over 27 years, I have been involved in every aspect of transport policy, I have been a keen road cyclist and currently co-chair the APPG for Cycling and Walking. Because I travel to London by train, I have first-hand weekly experience of current rail issues.

Over the years, I have built a network of connections with key players in all forms of transport in the UK, from rail to aviation, from car makers to the bicycle industry. This has been supplemented by my work on the Transport Select Committee in the last Parliament.

I take the opportunity to become Chair of this committee extremely seriously.  That’s why I’m clear that, if successful, I will launch inquires into:

Bus services (outside London) – The case for regulation and franchising.  This would look closely at how buses can be run as a public service and how buses can be decarbonised. It would also look into how the government can use procurement to prioritise local supply chains and regional industry, alongside devolution deals and giving metro mayors new powers.

HS2 – The case for the reinstatement of Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.  This inquiry would look at how the government can unlock public and private investment to be effectively used on local mass transit projects.  It will examine why it will cost nearly £800m not to proceed with phase ll alongside the environmental cost.

Active Travel – The case for public health and wellbeing.  The committee will look at whether government budgets can be reformed to get more people to cycle or walk and what impacts investment in cycling infrastructure could have on carbon emissions and public health. It will also examine the importance of the UK bicycle industry in the economy and how we can reform the cycle to work scheme to favour small and independent businesses.

Aviation – The case for decarbonisation and growth.  This inquiry would look at how we decarbonise the aviation industry without impacting jobs and growth. It will launch a feasibility study into how the UK could secure an international agreement on aviation fuel taxes and a government strategy for sustainable aviation fuel.

Cars – The case for making our roads safer.  Whether its commuting problems or the cleanliness of the air we breathe, this inquiry would focus on what it would take to use our cars less and how we realistically end road deaths. It will look into electric car manufacturing, alternatives to electric cars and a government strategy to support EV charging infrastructure.

I hope I can count on your support for this important role in Parliament

Candidate: Ruth Cadbury

Supporters (own party): Dame Meg Hillier, Johanna Baxter, Luke Akehurst, Josh Simons, Bill Esterson, Chi Onwurah, Rachel Taylor, Yasmin Qureshi, Olivia Blake, Andy Slaughter, Ruth Jones, Deirdre Costigan, Alex Baker, Mr James Frith, James Asser

Supporters (other parties or no party): Simon Hoare, David Mundell, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Munira Wilson, Kevin Hollinrake

Relevant interests declared: None

Supporting statement:

Having served for five years on the Transport Select Committee, I am seeking election to be the Chair.

Transport affects all our constituents: rail passengers experiencing delays and overcrowding, the costs of running a car, endless traffic delays, communities left isolated with no bus services and a lack of safe cycling and walking infrastructure and so much more. It is important that we have a strong voice who will put these important issues high up the agenda in Westminster.

I believe my Parliamentary and previous local government experience, has given me the appropriate grounding to Chair this significant committee.  I bring an understanding of the challenges of the different local and national structures responsible for transport across the UK, along with strong relationships with stakeholders across the varied transport sectors.

Vision

The UK badly needs its transport to be efficient, affordable, safe, accessible, integrated and

above all sustainable. An effective enquiring Transport Committee can play an important role in making this happen.

If elected as Chair I will ensure that working collaboratively, the Committee provides constructive scrutiny of the Government’s ambitious programme for transport, along with its net zero and growth ambitions. Decision makers in Government, transport companies and public bodies will be held to account, and opportunities will be taken to explore examples of best-practice.

Experience: 

• MP for 9 years with extensive and relevant select committee and frontbench membership; Transport, Justice and WAC Select Committees and shadow front bench Minister for Housing, and Planning
• 5 years as an active member of Transport Committee, working on inquiries that included: National Bus Strategy, EVs, Inclusive Transport, HGV and Port facilities, Fire & Re-hire, Active Travel, Rail Service Levels and Pavement Parking
• Long-standing Co-Chair or Chair of 4 Transport APPGs:

Transport Safety: Encouraging Government to adopt the European Vehicle Safety regulations and a UK Road Safety Strategic Framework. Work also covered E-Scooters and Pavement Parking.

Cycling & Walking:  In 8 years as Co-Chair we covered a range of topics that led to many Parliamentary and Government interventions, including an in-depth inquiry into road justice for victims of collisions, some of its recommendations were adopted by Government

Women in Transport: Following an HS2 site visit, we worked with the Women in Transport group to promote taking inclusive practices from HR departments and embedding them in Health & Safety on construction sites.

Airport Communities: With other MPs with constituencies profoundly affected by aviation activity, we met with experts and Ministers on issues such as aircraft noise, surface access for passengers and staff, and the forthcoming Airspace Modernisation programme.

To contact me, please email me: ruthcadburymp@parliament.uk

Candidate: Catherine Atkinson

Supporters (own party): Blair McDougall, Emily Darlington, Tom Rutland, Mr Richard Quigley, Gregor Poynton, Lee Barron, Melanie Onn, Fred Thomas, Lola McEvoy, Michael Payne, Michelle Scrogham, Oliver Ryan, Kevin Bonavia, Ms Polly Billington, Jon Pearce

Relevant interests declared: Member of GMB Union; Member of Unite the Union.

Supporting statement:

By the end of this Parliament will the UK be better connected, will regional transport inequalities be reduced, will moving around our country become more affordable, accessible, safer and more sustainable?

Will the Transport Select Committee have driven progress on all of these challenges and more?

I put myself forward for this role looking ahead to the next five years with determination that the answer should to each of these questions should be yes.

I have had one of the best possible apprenticeships for this role, 17 years as a barrister, seven of which spent leading a team of barristers on a public inquiry. These instilled in me the skills of cross-examination, evidence gathering and analysis.

And over two decades of campaigning, serving as a parliamentary candidate in five elections, grassroots advocacy on the issues every constituency faces: road conditions and safety, rail improvements, bus timetables, waterways, cycling and walking infrastructure.

Over the last year, I have supported an intense campaign for contracts to be brought forward to fill the gap in orders at the train building company Alstom in Derby. Sadly, many jobs were lost before a contract was successfully found. In my Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill Committee Stage speech last week I thanked colleagues who stood with Derby to push for action, which eventually led to success. I want to do all I can to stop this from happening elsewhere and, if successful, I will launch an inquiry into the challenges facing transport businesses spanning sustainability, digital transformation, supply chain resilience, and infrastructure investment.

The committee should also probe the future pipeline of rail infrastructure investment and provide time for scrutiny of the government’s rail reform plans ahead of the Rail Reform Bill.

I am clear that if successful the Committee would be responsive to the local challenges facing colleagues’ constituencies. I want to draw in the transport expertise and passion that is present across the House of Commons. I want constituents to see the positive role the Committee is playing. I have spoken with scores of colleagues about the transport issues important to them. From bus routes to EV charging points, freight to flights, ports to potholes, across our cities, towns, coast, and countryside. And if you are reading this before the vote and haven’t spoken to me, I would be delighted to speak with you.

While as a prospective chair my focus must be firmly on the future, I am inspired by the Committee’s past successes. There is much work done by the 2019-2024 committee that should be progressed, for example on accessible transport. The late Gwyneth Dunwoody represented, like me, a rail constituency - while I don't think I would be able match her famous wit, I will take inspiration from her steadfast defence of select committee independence.

With your support, over the next half-decade I will help write the next chapter for Transport Committee that is worthy of its distinguished past. 

Further information  

• Election of House of Commons Select Committee Chairs

Image credit: House of Commons