Huw Merriman MP, the Rail Minister, has announced his decision to step down following a general election call.
- Merriman will not stand as a candidate in the general election scheduled for 4 July.
- He has served as the Rail Minister since October 2022, following his role as chair of the transport select committee.
- Industry figures have praised Merriman for his understanding of the travel sector.
- Merriman expressed gratitude for his time in office and looks forward to new opportunities.
Huw Merriman MP, the current Rail Minister, has announced his decision to step down from his role following the call for a general election on 4 July. He has chosen not to stand as a candidate, marking an end to his tenure in the role.
Appointed as Rail Minister in October 2022, Merriman has been a key figure in the Department for Transport, previously serving as chair of the Commons’ transport select committee. He has been recognised for his contributions to the transport sector, earning praise from various industry bodies, including being described by Aito’s chair, Chris Rowles, as a person who ‘simply gets travel.’
In his announcement, Merriman spoke fondly of his constituency, Bexhill and Battle, and expressed appreciation for the support he received from his constituents and colleagues. ‘The constituency is a beautiful place, with wonderful people in every town and village. I’ve been lucky enough to work across the community and political divide with some fantastic people,’ he said.
During his political career, Merriman has shown a deep passion for transport issues, contributing significantly through his work on the transport select committee and as rail minister. He acknowledged the prime minister’s trust in appointing him to his current role and appreciated the opportunities it provided to work with both public and private sectors.
Merriman’s legacy as Rail Minister is marked by his commitment to the transport industry, as well as his efforts to foster collaboration among industry stakeholders and government. As he prepares to leave his post, Merriman extended his best wishes to his successor and shared his intention to embark on a new journey. ‘I will miss everything but, as I sit in the political departure lounge, I am looking forward to a new journey (whatever that might be),’ he reflected.
Huw Merriman’s departure from his role as Rail Minister marks the end of a significant chapter in his political career, as he now looks forward to future opportunities.
