When Heidi Alexander quit as Sadiq Khan’s deputy mayor for transport, her leaving present was something special: an Elizabeth line train named in her honour.
Such was the high regard in which the then-former Labour MP was held, in particular for her efforts to prevent Transport for London going bankrupt during the pandemic.
Then, after she stepped down from the Transport for London board in June this year, after six years of service, TfL commissioner Andy Lord led numerous tributes by saying: “Heidi is a dear friend to many of us and will be sorely missed.”
Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour has been appointed Secretary of State for Transport @TransportGovUK. pic.twitter.com/AB271CdEbL
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 29, 2024
As such, as the new Transport Secretary, Ms Alexander will know the demands of London’s transport system better than anyone – in particular, TfL’s need for long-term investment.
The only concern from City Hall’s perspective will be whether Ms Alexander, with responsibility for the entire country, will be under additional pressure not to show any favouritism towards the capital.
Ms Alexander, who had quit as Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow health secretary in 2016, stepped down as Labour MP for Lewisham East on becoming deputy mayor for transport in 2018.
But she quit the £132,000-a-year role in December 2021, having stayed on later than initially planned because of the crisis affecting TfL and the delayed mayoral election, which was held a year later than planned because of the pandemic.
Soon after becoming deputy mayor, Ms Alexander said politicians had a “moral responsibility” to act to prevent road deaths and injuries as she spoke of her sadness that six cyclists had been killed in London since she took up the post.
She rounded on the then Tory-run Westminster council for its opposition to the proposed CS11 cycle superhighway that would have linked Swiss Cottage and Oxford Street, saying it was a “disgrace” that it resorted to court action in the week a woman cyclist – later named as Sarah Doone - was fighting for her life after a collision with a cement mixer at Old Street roundabout.
Ms Alexander said at the time: “It could have been me. I can’t undo what happened last week but I will do everything in my power to ensure that we bring down the rate at which pedestrians and cyclists are killed and seriously injured on London’s streets.”
Mr Khan asked Ms Alexander to remain on the TfL board despite having quit as deputy mayor, which she did until June this year.
Paying tribute when she finally stood down after six years, Mr Khan said Ms Alexander had “always demonstrated great leadership and calmness”.
He said she had made a “significant contribution” to London in two vital areas – bringing Crossrail in-house to enable the Elizabeth line to finally be completed, and keeping TfL afloat and operational during the pandemic.
“We wish her every success for the future,” Mr Khan added – perhaps with knowledge that she would eventually become a Government minister and potentially ally in Whitehall.
Some exciting personal news: the lovely @TfL folk named an Elizabeth Line train after me when I stepped down as London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport and have just been sent the pics. Couldn’t have wished for a better leaving present! Thank you @TfL. pic.twitter.com/5me6KkvOfJ
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) July 20, 2022
TfL commissioner Mr Lord, speaking in June, said Ms Alexander had made a “fantastic contribution” and “six years of dedicated service” to TfL, including to his predecessors Mike Brown and Andy Byford.
Mr Lord said: “Her contribution to improving public transport in London cannot be overstated.
“During her time as deputy mayor, including during the darkest days of the pandemic… she has consistently offered sound advice, intelligent direction and sensible scrutiny to officers to navigate some of the challenges of the past few years.”
On Friday, as she was unveiled as the replacement for Louise Haigh as transport secretary, a well-placed source told The Standard that Ms Alexander was “exceptionally well respected” across TfL during her time as deputy mayor.
“She is exceptionally hard-working, bright and committed. She is also a human being – and a nice person. Even the most hardened cynics warmed to her,” the source said.
Mr Khan said in 2021: “She is without doubt one of the most dedicated, resilient and respected politicians I have ever worked with and I wish her all the best for the future.”
Ms Alexander said at the time that she was especially proud of her work on Crossrail, “protecting free travel for children and young people, cleaning up London’s air and making cycling safer”.
Her appointment as Transport Secretary has been welcomed by campaigners.
Paul Tuohy, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: "With her wealth of experience as deputy mayor of London for transport, she will be well-placed to take forward the vital reforms that have already been set in motion to make transport work for all people and all places.”
Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK, said: "She brings a wealth of experience as the former deputy mayor for transport in London and is a cyclist herself.
“Heidi has actively engaged with Cycling UK for many years, and we look forward to building on that relationship as she takes forward her new brief."
