Ministerial Reshuffle Affecting Rail

[SansPareil]

Patrick McLoughlin was on Any Questions on BBC radio 4 on Saturday. Asked about HS2, he started out by trying to justify the fact that the current journey from London to Leeds was over 2 hours 30 mins, he was corrected on this by members of the panel who said it's around 2 hours 20 minutes. Talking further he seemed to think HS2 would connect Leeds to Manchester and the current route from London to Leeds was along the Midland Mainline.

Rather worrying stuff from the Transport Secretary.

Link here from 35 minutes in;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b03bsbbb/

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Listening to how the media view the importance of different ministries in their emphasis upon those they view as important, it was noticeable that the Transport ministry is well down their "pecking list".

 

[edwin_m]

Actually, the Coalition has seen remarkably few changes to the roster of ministerial roles compared to previous parliaments.

Most of the cabinet ministers are still where they were when the whole affair started in 2010. Even the junior ranks haven't moved as much as they do in most parliaments. It's one of the side effects of the coalition - it's difficult to rejig the team when the two parties have to be kept balanced, and that slows the pace of change.

And yes, foreign countries have reshuffles too

That may be true in general but it's not true in Transport. We're onto our third Transport Secretary since the election three and a half years ago, the first moved to replace a Defence Secretary who messed up and the second pushed aside allegedly due to her opposition to Heathrow expansion. This rate of attrition is worse than the seven during the 13 years of Labour government and similar to the 12 during the 18 Tory years before that. Not to mention the changes in the more junior posts such as here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_of_State_for_Transport

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

That may be true in general but it's not true in Transport. We're onto our third Transport Secretary since the election three and a half years ago, the first moved to replace a Defence Secretary who messed up and the second pushed aside allegedly due to her opposition to Heathrow expansion. This rate of attrition is worse than the seven during the 13 years of Labour government and similar to the 12 during the 18 Tory years before that. Not to mention the changes in the more junior posts such as here.

Perhaps the current view in Government circles is that Transport is not seen as a worthwhile ministry to make your mark in when there seem to be far better high-profile ministries where career progression can be noted in all the higher echelons of Government. As I said recently, a certain MP lost no time in throwing his hat in the ring for the post of Deputy Speaker despite being in the Transport ministry.

 

[tbtc]

Perhaps the current view in Government circles is that Transport is not seen as a worthwhile ministry to make your mark in when there seem to be far better high-profile ministries where career progression can be noted in all the higher echelons of Government

The problem is always going to be that the Transport Minister is the one wanting billions of pounds to spend on things that won't be completed for five/ ten/ twenty years - which isn't going to allow you to cover yourself in any glory when you are only going to be in the job for a couple of years yourself.

Maybe in 2020 the current regieme will allow themselves a pat on the back for funding things like the "electric spine", but they won't be in the Department for Transport (regardless of which party/ parties is running the country).

Much better for the ego to work in a department where you can have a more immediate impact (sadly).

 

[edwin_m]

The problem is always going to be that the Transport Minister is the one wanting billions of pounds to spend on things that won't be completed for five/ ten/ twenty years - which isn't going to allow you to cover yourself in any glory when you are only going to be in the job for a couple of years yourself.

Maybe in 2020 the current regieme will allow themselves a pat on the back for funding things like the "electric spine", but they won't be in the Department for Transport (regardless of which party/ parties is running the country).

Much better for the ego to work in a department where you can have a more immediate impact (sadly).

That's all probably true, and leads to a further problem. DfT collects plenty of brickbats and even if they can do something about them, most of the solutions would take several years.

 

[Deerfold]

Patrick McLoughlin was on Any Questions on BBC radio 4 on Saturday. Asked about HS2, he started out by trying to justify the fact that the current journey from London to Leeds was over 2 hours 30 mins, he was corrected on this by members of the panel who said it's around 2 hours 20 minutes. Talking further he seemed to think HS2 would connect Leeds to Manchester and the current route from London to Leeds was along the Midland Mainline.

Rather worrying stuff from the Transport Secretary.

Link here from 35 minutes in;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b03bsbbb/

I thought he didn't come out with a bad estimate for a journey which he doesn't take regularly - are there are some trains which do take over 2.5 hours.

I thought he'd talked about the route between Leeds and Manchester as another route that was being improved?

 

[yorksrob]

I thought he didn't come out with a bad estimate for a journey which he doesn't take regularly - are there are some trains which do take over 2.5 hours.

I thought he'd talked about the route between Leeds and Manchester as another route that was being improved?

Perhaps he got the late night one to Leeds which goes around the houses.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Robert Goodwill now has his photo on the DfT site, with this quote:

Following the October 2013 reshuffle, the exact responsibilities of this role have yet to be confirmed

No sign of Susan Kramer's details yet.

 

[tbtc]

I thought he didn't come out with a bad estimate for a journey which he doesn't take regularly - are there are some trains which do take over 2.5 hours

Agreed - not knowing whether Leeds - London is 2h20 or 2h30 isn't "worrying" - just like I wouldn't be worried if a Government minister thought that a single pint of milk cost 55p instead of 50p (since knowing the price of a pint of milk appears to be the benchmark for whether you are "in touch with hard working families" etc etc).

I'd expect an MP for Leeds/ Bradford/ Harrogate/ Skipton (etc) to know the Leeds - London timings, but not necessarily the MP for Ashbourne, Bakewell and Matlock.

 

[WatcherZero]

Robert Goodwill now has his photo on the DfT site, with this quote:


No sign of Susan Kramer's details yet.

Thats changed since this morning then, when I looked before lunch they had copied his photo and bio onto the page and left the same job description.

Possibly bears out what I posted yesterday that they were swapping the job titles but keeping the same job responsibilities for each party.

 

[Deerfold]

Perhaps he got the late night one to Leeds which goes around the houses.

Quite - the 0605 from Leeds takes 02:29 whilst the 1740 from London takes 02:31, the 2135 takes 02:35 and the 2330 is allowed 02:56 (but usually takes much less).

 

[WatcherZero]

Ok they have indeed reshuffled the responsibilities to the different positions.
Going to highlight to the best of my ability in Green roles gained for the position and in red roles lost during the reshuffle using the current job description with the cached previous description. Apologise if any errors or ommissions

Secretary of State Patrick McLoughlin
•transport strategy, including economic growth and climate change
•spending review
•transport security
•high speed rail

Minister of State Baroness Kramer
• HS2
• HS2 – Phase Two
•rail – funding and futures (including RIS, SOFA, ORR, stations policy)
•cities and urban renewal (including growth deals and Heseltine Review)
•localism and devolution
•local connectivity (including smart ticketing, buses, taxis, light rail and trams)
•accessibility and equalities
•future transport (including ULEV)
•natural environnent (including biofuels)
•SMEs
•international
•London (including Crossrail)
•aviation


Under Secretary of State Robert Goodwill
•aviation
•strategic roads and Highways Agency
•motoring agencies
•road safety and standards
•freight and logistics – including lorry road user charging
•local roads
•cycling
•HS2 Phase One
•Europe
•rail – (including commercial, operational performance and community rail)
•buses (including concessionary fares)
•taxis
•light rail and trams
•smart ticketing (including rail fares and ticketing)
•natural environment and climate change
•cleaner fuel and vehicles
•accessibility and equalities
•alternatives to travel
• SMEs and growth



Under Secretary of State Stephen Hammond
•strategic roads and Highways Agency
•rail – (including operational issues, major projects, fares and ticketing, Rail Delivery Group reform, franchising)
•London including Crossrail
•maritime
•Better Regulation
•corporate
•motoring agencies
•road safety and standards
•freight and logistics – including lorry road user charging

 

[Morgsie]

It doesn't make sense dividing portfolio's like this.

Is Susan Kramer responsible for Transport matters in the Lords replacing Earl Attlee because some Departments have a Peer who have responsibilities for the Dept's business in the Lords?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

So HS2 Phase 1 is the only rail responsibility for Robert Goodwill.

Susan Kramer sorts out NR's CP5, lets all the new franchises and sorts out devolution and HS2 phase 2.

Stephen Hammond worries about TOC performance and collects the premiums, while overseeing Crossrail.

Should be interesting seeing how it works out.
HS2 debates won't be easy with one of them in the Lords.
I suspect Patrick McLoughlin will keep a tight rein.
I wonder what Sir Humphrey thinks (Philip Rutnam)?

 

[edwin_m]

Why have they split HS2 phase 1 and 2 when it is all fundamentally one project? Is it to give HS1 to a Tory and HS2 to a LibDem?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Why have they split HS2 phase 1 and 2 when it is all fundamentally one project? Is it to give HS1 to a Tory and HS2 to a LibDem?

HS2 phase 1 is now all about getting the Bill through parliament, PR and business case, and dealing with objections.
It isn't much to do with a railway at this stage.
Phase 2 is still mostly a railway planning job by consultants, and it won't happen anyway unless phase 1 goes ahead.
It also means there are 3 ministers involved in HSR planning, in both Houses.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

HS2 phase 2 is still mostly a railway planning job by consultants, and it won't happen anyway unless phase 1 goes ahead. It also means there are 3 ministers involved in HSR planning, in both Houses.

A most valid point to confirm the status of the HS2 phase 2 at this present time. I cannot see the Minister or his immediate subordinates having detailed meetings with these consultants at this point in time.

 

[WatcherZero]

The other way to look at it is the Lib Dems keep green and equalities issues and local transport investment (another green thing) meanwhile the Tories keep out of their hands Airports, southern HS2 and London investment programs, things that could affect the London Mayoral elections.

 

[edwin_m]

HS2 phase 1 is now all about getting the Bill through parliament, PR and business case, and dealing with objections.
It isn't much to do with a railway at this stage.
Phase 2 is still mostly a railway planning job by consultants, and it won't happen anyway unless phase 1 goes ahead.
It also means there are 3 ministers involved in HSR planning, in both Houses.

I can assure you there is a lot of work going on by consultants on both HS2 phase 1 and phase 2. Both are reporting to HS2 Limited and need to co-ordinate with each other on various issues to ensure a seamless design. HS2 Ltd now has two political masters.

 

[WatcherZero]

Burns quitting to run for deputy speaker backfired, he wasnt even the runner up. Eleanor Laing, MP for Epping Forest won with Brian Binley coming a close second. Burns only made it through to the 3rd round.

David Amess
27, 28, Out

Henry Bellingham
87, 87, 95, 118, 156, Out

Brian Binley
126, 130, 141, 153, 172, 240

Simon Burns
64, 66, 70, Out

Nadine Dorries
13, Out

Eleanor Laing
148, 153, 156, 173, 204, 273, Winner

Gary Streeter
86, 87, 87, 95, Out

 

[Darren R]

Wow - Nadine Dorries got 13 votes ... she's more popular than I thought!