Ruth Cadbury elected chair of Transport select committee

Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford & Isleworth, has been elected Chair of the Transport Committee following a ballot of MPs. The Labour MP secured the role with 328 of the 554 votes cast after three rounds of voting.

On appointment to the position Cadbury said, “It is a great honour to be elected by MPs from across the House of Commons as the new Chair of the Transport Committee.

“Transport touches every aspect of our lives, from getting to work to seeing our loved ones and ensuring we can buy the goods we need. Furthermore the local transport challenges vary considerably across the country.

“Working cross-party, this Committee will continue to champion the sector and consumers across the country. I can’t wait to start working with my new colleagues on holding the Government and service providers to account.”

And previously in her nomination statement Cadbury, who has been an active member of the Transport Select Committee for the last five years wrote, “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.

“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.

“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.

An MP for 9 years, Cadbury has extensive and relevant select committee and frontbench across Transport, Justice and WAC Select Committees and was shadow front bench Minister for Housing and Planning.

During her five years on the Transport Committee, she has worked on inquiries covering National Bus Strategy, EVs, Inclusive Transport, HGV and Port facilities, Fire & Re-hire, Active Travel, Rail Service Levels and Pavement Parking.

She is also the Long-standing Co-Chair or Chair of 4 Transport APPGs addressing transport safety; cycling and walking; women in transport; and airport communities.