Is Stephen Morgan the next UK rail minister?
The member of parliament for Portsmouth South, who is also the current shadow rail minister, has been reviewing developments in the industry. His left-wing Labour Party is tipped widely to take over at the forthcoming UK general election. So Stephen Morgan has been familiarising himself with a series of on-site, on rails, visits. Most recently, he has been seen heavily involved at the heart of very light rail technology, in Dudley, in the English West Midlands.
A general election must be called, by law, in the UK later this year. The ruling Conservative Party is odds-on to be ousted from government. That means a change of personnel in all ministries, including rail. Waiting in the wings is Stephen Morgan, ready for the green signal to take up the post. At the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) he who would be the minister started his heavy-weight trek with a visit to very light rail.
Credible rail and transport investment
Shadow Rail Minister, Stephen Morgan MP, could not be accused of taking his potential elevation to office lightly. Not long ago, he was toe to toe with his opposite number Huw Merriman, at the Bradshaw Address in London. Before long, he can reasonably expect to be in the rail minister’s hot seat himself. Meanwhile, he took the opportunity of a visit to the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) to see first-hand the progress being made in the delivery of Coventry Very Light Rail. It was also a political opportunity to lay out the ground rules for Labour’s rail transport policy.
“Transport infrastructure is key to the vitality of local communities”, said Stephen Morgan. “Innovative projects, such as Coventry Very Light Rail, are a critical companion to investment in regional rail connections. “I am in the West Midlands, at the BCIMO, to see first-hand the progress delivering Coventry Very Light Rail. [The Labour Party] will work with local leaders, businesses, unions and industry experts in the West Midlands to deliver a credible and transformative programme of rail and transport infrastructure investment.”
The academic report gives food for thought
Stephen Morgan’s visit to the Coventry Very Light Rail concept was timely. It should be noted that he follows on the heels of his rival, Huw Merriman, whom he may expect to replace in government. Morgan is likely to inherit a severe prevailing economic climate. The need for cost-effective solutions to pressing problems, like transport infrastructure, is more prescient than ever. The Very Light Rail project is intended to do just that and provide Coventry with an affordable fixed-link public transport solution. It’s also intended to cater for the future public transport needs of other small city-sized communities.
The visit was organised by Midlands Connect, the regional sub-national transport advisory body. It coincided with the publication of their report, “Rails To Opportunity: How Rail Connectivity Can Fuel Access and Achievement in Higher Education“. That report examines the relationship between UK universities and local rail services. The particular relevance is to the corridor between Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham. These three major economic and academic hubs in the Midlands are under-served by rail. Coventry and Leicester have not had a direct link for twenty years. Very Light Rail may not be the answer to that particular issue, but Stephen Morgan will at least have had food for thought, ahead of answering questions like that on a daily basis.
Further reading:
