Louise Haigh has resigned as Transport Secretary following the revelation of an old conviction related to a false police report. Heidi Alexander has been appointed as the new Transport Secretary, replacing Haigh. Downing Street declined to confirm whether the Prime Minister knew about Haigh’s criminal conviction and simply stated that “further information” had come to light before her resignation. The Conservatives have raised questions about Sir Keir Starmer’s judgment in appointing Haigh to Cabinet, calling on him to explain the decision to the public.
Haigh, a Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley since 2015, had a background in law enforcement as a special constable before entering politics. Described as having a “terrier-like intensity”, she has held various shadow ministerial and shadow cabinet roles before becoming Transport Secretary after Labour’s election win in July. Haigh’s resignation letter acknowledged her mistake in not immediately informing her employer when she discovered the missing work phone was actually in her possession. She expressed her regret for the distraction this issue would cause in delivering the government’s work and policies.
Before her resignation, Haigh was known for her advocacy against P&O Ferries and her pledge to bring train services under public ownership. She became the youngest female Cabinet minister ever appointed and led efforts to re-nationalize rail passenger services through the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill. Despite her resignation, Haigh expressed commitment to the Labour Party’s political project and vowed to continue fighting for the people of Sheffield Heeley. Sir Keir Starmer thanked her for her work in delivering the government’s transport agenda.
There are conflicting reports about whether Haigh disclosed her criminal conviction to Sir Keir Starmer when she joined the shadow cabinet. The Prime Minister praised Haigh for her efforts in taking the rail system back into public ownership and investing in bus services. The Conservative Party commended Haigh for resigning but questioned why she was appointed to Cabinet with a £30 billion budget despite her known criminal conviction. It is now up to Sir Keir Starmer to address these concerns and explain his decision to the public.
The resignation of Louise Haigh has sparked discussions about judgment and transparency within the Labour Party. Her career trajectory, from a union shop steward to a Metropolitan Police officer to a Member of Parliament, has been marked by her dedication to causes such as policing reform. Despite her resignation, Haigh’s commitment to the party’s goals remains strong, and she intends to continue supporting Labour’s agenda from outside the government. The circumstances surrounding her resignation have raised questions about political accountability and the importance of ethical conduct in public office.
