Heidi Alexander (born 17 April 1975) is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Transport since November 2024.{{Cite web |title=Heidi Alexander named new transport secretary after Louise Haigh's resignation over mobile phone guilty plea |url=https://news.sky.com/story/heidi-alexander-named-new-transport-secretary-after-louise-haighs-resignation-over-mobile-phone-guilty-plea-13262817 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Sky News |language=en}} A member of the Labour Party, she has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Swindon South since 2024. Previously she was the MP for Lewisham East from 2010 to 2018.

Born in Swindon, Alexander studied at Churchfields Comprehensive School and New College Sixth Form before going on to gain a BA in geography and an MA in European Urban and Regional Change from Grey College, Durham. Alexander then consecutively served as a parliamentary researcher for MP Joan Ruddock and as a campaign manager for the charity Clothes Aid.

Alexander was elected to the Lewisham London Borough Council for Evelyn in 2004 and was elected as the MP for Lewisham East in the 2010 General election. Alexander was appointed parliamentary private secretary to shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh before becoming an opposition whip in 2012. Promoted to Deputy Shadow Minister for London and a senior opposition whip in 2013, she became shadow secretary of state for health after the election of Jeremy Corbyn to the Labour leadership. In 2016 she resigned over Corbyn's response to the EU referendum and dismissal of Hilary Benn.

In 2018 Alexander resigned her seat to become Deputy Mayor of London for Transport where she remained until 2021. In the 2024 General election Alexander was elected MP for Swindon South. Alexander then served as Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services until she was appointed Transport Secretary in November 2024, replacing Louise Haigh.

Early life and career

Alexander was born in Swindon, Wiltshire to Malcolm, an electrician, and Elaine Alexander ({{nee|Lanham}}). She was educated at Churchfields Comprehensive School and New College Sixth Form. Alexander studied at Grey College, Durham,{{Cite web |title=Index entry |url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=OnCUzIsBWe1zwuOvCy9FCw&scan=1 |access-date=26 April 2018 |work=FreeBMD |publisher=ONS}}{{cite journal |year=2010 |title=Alexander, Heidi, (born 17 April 1975), MP (Lab) Lewisham East, since 2010 |journal=Who's Who |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.251450}} where she received a BA in geography and an MA in European Urban and Regional Change.{{cite web|url=http://thehoneyballbuzz.com/women-in-power-2/female-members-of-the-house-of-commons/labour-mps/a-c/heidi-alexander/|title=Heidi Alexander|work=THE HONEYBALL BUZZ|access-date=24 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101211422/http://thehoneyballbuzz.com/women-in-power-2/female-members-of-the-house-of-commons/labour-mps/a-c/heidi-alexander/|archive-date=1 January 2014|url-status=live}}

Alexander had a 6-month placement in the office of Cherie Blair at 10 Downing Street in 1998.{{Cite web |title=Heidi Alexander CV – London Assembly |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/londonassembly/meetings/documents/s71502/Heidi%20Alexander%20CV%202018.pdf}} She worked as a Parliamentary researcher for Lewisham MP Joan Ruddock from 1999 to 2005, and as campaigns manager for the charity Clothes Aid from 2005 to 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/heidi-alexander|title=Heidi Alexander|work=politics.co.uk|access-date=24 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008115534/http://politics.co.uk/reference/heidi-alexander|archive-date=8 October 2013|url-status=live}}

Political career

= Local government =

Alexander served as a member of Lewisham London Borough Council for Evelyn from a by-election in 2004 until 2010. She was Deputy Mayor of Lewisham and Cabinet Member for Regeneration from 2006 to 2010. Alexander was selected as the Labour candidate for Lewisham East in October 2009, and elected to Parliament at the 2010 general election.{{cite web |url=http://www.labour.org.uk/mp/heidi_alexander/832/ |title=Labour MPS | Heidi Alexander, Labour MP for Lewisham East | the Labour Party |access-date=24 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304013559/http://www.labour.org.uk/mp/heidi_alexander/832 |archive-date=4 March 2013 }}

= House of Commons =

Shortly after her election to Parliament, Alexander was appointed parliamentary private secretary to Mary Creagh, then the shadow environment secretary. She became an opposition whip in 2012,{{cite web |title=Heidi Alexander |url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/heidi-alexander/83154 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304080213/http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/heidi-alexander/83154 |archive-date=4 March 2013 |access-date=24 February 2013 }} and was promoted to Deputy Shadow Minister for London and a senior Opposition whip in 2013. She served as a member of the Communities and Local Government Committee from 2010 to 2012 and Health Committee from 2016 to 2017.

Following Jeremy Corbyn's election as Labour leader in September 2015, Alexander joined the shadow cabinet as shadow secretary of state for health.{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Nigel |date=13 September 2015 |title=Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet: The appointments so far |newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyns-shadow-cabinet-which-labour-mps-might-fill-the-key-positions-10499274.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408124330/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyns-shadow-cabinet-which-labour-mps-might-fill-the-key-positions-10499274.html |archive-date=8 April 2016}}

Heidi Alexander became the first shadow cabinet minister to resign in June 2016,{{cite tweet|number=746966874521542656|user=heidi_mp|title=It is with a heavy heart that I have this morning resigned from the Shadow Cabinet.|date=26 June 2016|last=Alexander|first=Heidi}}{{better source needed|date=August 2023}} calling for a new party leader after the EU referendum and dismissal of Hilary Benn.{{cite news |title=Who's staying and who's going in the shadow cabinet? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36633158 |access-date=28 June 2016 |publisher=BBC News |date=27 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627142154/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36633158 |archive-date=27 June 2016 |url-status=live }} In an opinion piece for The Guardian, Alexander wrote "I loved being the shadow health secretary. But I hated being part of the shadow cabinet...because it was entirely dysfunctional" and "so inept, so unprofessional, so shoddy".{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Heidi |date=19 August 2016 |title=Why I had to leave Corbyn's dysfunctional shadow cabinet |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/aug/19/heidi-alexander-corbyn-resign-shadow-cabinet |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918022301/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/aug/19/heidi-alexander-corbyn-resign-shadow-cabinet |archive-date=18 September 2016}}

= Deputy Mayor of London =

In May 2018, Alexander resigned her seat in Parliament to become Deputy Mayor of London for Transport under Sadiq Khan.{{cite news |last=Elgot |first=Jessica |date=8 May 2018 |title=Heidi Alexander quits as Labour MP to be London deputy mayor |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/may/08/heidi-alexander-quits-as-labour-mp-to-be-london-deputy-mayor |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508110228/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/may/08/heidi-alexander-quits-as-labour-mp-to-be-london-deputy-mayor |archive-date=8 May 2018}} She served as Deputy Chair of Transport for London in her role, and remained on the body's board until the opening of Crossrail.

During her time in the role, she was tasked with maintaining London transport during the COVID-19 pandemic and leading several rounds of government bailout negotiations.{{Cite web |last=Lydall |first=Ross |date=20 December 2021 |title=Blow for Sadiq Khan as main transport aide quits City Hall |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/heidi-alexander-quits-london-city-hall-sadiq-khan-tfl-funding-crisis-b972931.html |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} She notably worked to tackle delays to the opening of Crossrail and re-opening of Hammersmith Bridge, and took up cycling to promote that method of transport. Initially planning to step down at the end of Khan's first term until the pandemic, she departed her role in late 2021 to "consider her next career move".{{Cite news |date=20 December 2021 |title=Ex-MEP Seb Dance to replace Heidi Alexander as deputy mayor |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-59728663 |access-date=12 June 2022}}

=Return to Parliament=

In June 2022, Alexander announced her intention to seek selection as the Labour candidate for Swindon South.{{Cite web |title=At least two candidates step up for South Swindon Labour |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/20193087.south-swindon-seat-heidi-alexander-contesting-spot-battleground-constituency/ |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Swindon Advertiser |date=9 June 2022 |language=en}} She was selected in July 2022 as prospective parliamentary candidate for the seat,{{Cite web |last=Simpson |first=Jack |date=23 July 2022 |title=Labour announce candidate they hope will kick Robert Buckland out of his seat at next election |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/20373605.heidi-alexander-announced-labour-candidate-south-swindon/ |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=Swindon Advertiser |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McGrath |first=Dominic |date=23 July 2022 |title=Former top Labour MP in bid to return to the Commons |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/heidi-alexander-labour-commons-robert-buckland-alexander-b2129728.html |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}} and was successful at the 2024 general election. Alexander was subsequently appointed Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services at the Ministry of Justice.{{Cite web |title=Minister of State – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state--180 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}}{{Cite tweet |user=MoJGovUK |number=1816868648696299631 |title=Meet the full ministerial team at the Ministry of Justice!}}

== Appointment to Cabinet ==

Alexander was appointed Secretary of State for Transport in November 2024, succeeding Louise Haigh. She was appointed to the Privy Council, giving her the honorific title of The Right Honourable for life.{{Cite web |title=Orders for 4 December 2024 |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-04-List-of-Business.pdf |publisher=Privy Council Office}}

Political views

Alexander supported Andy Burnham in the 2010 and 2015 Labour leadership elections,{{cite web |title=Andy Burnham |url=http://www2.labour.org.uk/leadership-Andy-Burnham/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217045306/http://www2.labour.org.uk/leadership-Andy-Burnham/ |archive-date=17 December 2013 |work=labour.org.uk }} and Owen Smith in the 2016 Labour leadership election.{{Cite web |date=21 July 2016 |title=Full list of MPs and MEPs backing challenger Owen Smith |url=https://labourlist.org/2016/07/which-mps-and-meps-have-nominated-owen-smith/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715214543/https://labourlist.org/2016/07/which-mps-and-meps-have-nominated-owen-smith/ |archive-date=15 July 2019 |access-date=15 July 2019 |website=LabourList |language=en-GB}} She chaired Sadiq Khan's campaign for the 2016 London mayoral election.{{cite news |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica |last2=Stewart |first2=Heather |author-link2=Heather Stewart |date=25 April 2018 |title=Heidi Alexander thought to be considering role at London City Hall |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/25/heidi-alexander-thought-to-be-considering-role-at-london-city-hall |url-status=live |access-date=26 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426005805/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/25/heidi-alexander-thought-to-be-considering-role-at-london-city-hall |archive-date=26 April 2018}}

Alexander opposed the triggering of Article 50 following the EU referendum, proposing a "reasoned amendment" in January 2017 to throw out the article.{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=28 January 2017 |title=Labour MPs put forward Commons motion to throw out article 50 bill |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/28/labour-mps-commons-motion-article-50-bill-heidi-alexander |url-status=live |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128121122/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/28/labour-mps-commons-motion-article-50-bill-heidi-alexander |archive-date=28 January 2017}} She co-founded the Labour Campaign for the Single Market in 2017, and is a supporter of the pro-EU group Open Britain.{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Heidi |date=23 June 2017 |title=Heidi Alexander: the public want to see a deal where jobs are put first |url=https://www.open-britain.co.uk/heidi_alexander_the_public_want_to_see_a_deal_where_jobs_are_put_first |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510050544/https://www.open-britain.co.uk/heidi_alexander_the_public_want_to_see_a_deal_where_jobs_are_put_first |archive-date=10 May 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018 |publisher=Open Britain}}{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Heather |date=8 February 2018 |title=Pro-EU Labour MPs urge NEC to consult members on Brexit |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/08/pro-eu-labour-mps-urge-nec-consult-members-softer-brexit |url-status=live |access-date=26 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426213432/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/08/pro-eu-labour-mps-urge-nec-consult-members-softer-brexit |archive-date=26 April 2018}}

In November 2024, Alexander voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide.{{cite web |title=Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading |url=https://votes.parliament.uk/votes/commons/division/1877 |website=UK Parliament |access-date=30 November 2024}}

Personal life

Alexander married Martin Ballantyne in 2011.{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Jos |date=17 September 2015 |title=Jeremy Hunt faces a formidable opponent in new shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/ournhs/jeremy-hunt-faces-formidable-opponent-in-new-shadow-health-secretary-heidi-alexander/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=openDemocracy |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Aled |date=2024-07-05 |title='Swindon girl' and new MP Heidi Alexander has ambitions for town |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/24432308.swindon-souths-new-mp-heidi-alexander-reveals-ambitions-town/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Swindon Advertiser |language=en}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20101015055908/http://www2.labour.org.uk/mp/heidi_alexander/832 Heidi Alexander Profile] at labour.org.uk {{UK MP links | parliament = heidi-alexander/4038 | hansard = | hansardcurr = | guardian = 11810/heidi-alexander | publicwhip = Heidi_Alexander | theywork = heidi_alexander/lewisham_east | bbc = 83154.stm | journalisted = }}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20101014061111/http://yourdemocracy.newstatesman.com/profile/heidi-alexander Heidi Alexander Profile] at New Statesman
[https://twitter.com/heidi_ldn Heidi Alexander] on Twitter

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Lewisham East|years=2010–2018}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Swindon South|years=2024–present}}

{{s-ttl|title=Shadow Secretary of State for Health|years=2015–2016}}

{{s-ttl|title=Secretary of State for Transport|years=2024–present}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century British women politicians

Category:21st-century English women

Category:Alumni of Grey College, Durham

Category:Councillors in the London Borough of Lewisham

Category:Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies

Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies