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As CM went to press, the fate of many government officials was being decided by David Cameron at No 10. Like naughty children being called to the headmaster’s office, those facing the chop, or a new post, were called in one by one.
It was no surprise to hear that our industry had a new transport secretary (see p7), as Justine Greening had shot herself in the foot with her opposition to a third runway at Heathrow. She has been replaced by former chief whip Patrick McLoughlin, marking the 15th transport secretary in 24 years. We hope this reshuffle does not herald a return to the revolving door policy of a new transport secretary every nine months that blighted Labour’s time in power.
McLoughlin isn’t a stranger to transport: he held a post in the former Department of Transport in 1989 for three years – but his areas of focus were aviation and shipping. TheyWorkforYou.com reveals that he has only spoken in one parliamentary debate in the past year and hasn’t received answers to his written questions – both of which are well below the average among MPs. However, he has voted in 87.8% of votes in this Parliament, including in favour of increasing the VAT
rate and for laws to stop climate change. As a former chief whip he is unlikely to rock the boat at the Department for Transport (DfT), but hopefully he will take the time to understand road transport.
But does it matter? Our main trade associations have forged good relations with roads minister Mike Penning over the past two years and he remains at the DfT. But ultimate power, as always, lies with the Treasury and – no significant changes there – the focus must be directed towards it. Laura Hailstone
Commercial Motor – the official UK journal of the International Truck of the Year and International Van of the Year Awards