New Transport Secretary - Louise Haigh

[ChiefPlanner]

One time special constable for the Met , which gives some idea of the "real world" - unlike many others.

 

[dk1]

If the Unions have any sense they'll do a quick deal with Labour.

Only if it’s an acceptable deal to the membership.

 

[12LDA28C]

I didn’t realise the union leadership had changed?

Good one. The union leaders have acted with considerably more integrity than those - oh wait - I was going to say on the other side of the negotiating table but that hasn't really happened has it, at least not with ASLEF.

 

[dk1]

Good one. The union leaders have acted with considerably more integrity than those - oh wait - I was going to say on the other side of the negotiating table but that hasn't really happened has it, at least not with ASLEF.

We came so close until that darn election was called

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Mind you the cynic in me think that was all just a ploy.

 

[Bald Rick]

From what we’ve been told the money is already on the table and has been for sometime.

Given that the new SoS wouldn‘t have known where the money was going to come from (and almost certainly still doesn’t), I think that is rather hopeful. I’ve no doubt a deal will be done, and quickly, but as I said, where the money will actually come from will be interesting.

 

[dk1]

Given that the new SoS wouldn‘t have known where the money was going to come from (and almost certainly still doesn’t), I think that is rather hopeful. I’ve no doubt a deal will be done, and quickly, but as I said, where the money will actually come from will be interesting.

Just what’s been said by senior management that money for the deal has been ringfenced and just the nod from the DfT would’ve seen it implemented months ago. Just relaying what’s been passed down.

 

[Deepgreen]

I think her pedigree looks a lot more relevant than many recently...

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Now that will be key and I really hope it happens.

Its fundamental they get reformed otherwise they can forget their 2030 target to decarbonise the electricity system let alone the housing targets but that will mean putting in place legislation that cuts out local consultation which might be easier said than done but they have to use their mandate to just push things through.

 

[Thirteen]

I think a better relationship with the Mayor of London and TfL will be a start, I don't expect a blank cheque but ways to raise more money in fund big tickets like replacing the 1972 stock should be expected IMO

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jul 2024 ==

Not so much a case of spivs, but in political terms the Transport post is nothing more than a (career) stepping stone for junior ministers, most of whom are working their way up the greasy pole.

I thought that was DCMS or what is formally called the Department of Fun.

 

[CAF397]

She isn't going to be able to splash a lot of money around. I'd imagine quite the contrary.

No, but she can smooth over relations with ASLEF.

ASLEF have been asking to negotiate with the train companies direct, but have been prevented from doing so by consecutive Transport Secretaries.

You'll be surprised how easily the disputes could've been settled if people had the will.

 

[irish_rail]

The interesting thing will be where the money comes for the deal.

Well it will have to come from somewhere. And judging by how much wealth train drivers currently generate for the economy driving around packed trains, it'd be very difficult not to justify a fair and reasonable rise plus backpay. (I'm thinking about 3 percent ish). If its good enough for more or less everyone else in society I see no reason why Labour will treat train drivers differently. I also think Labour will recognise that the strikes cost a lot more money to the economy than was ever saved by not giving drivers a modest rise, and that's why I think this will be settled quickly.

 

[hwl]

Its fundamental they get reformed otherwise they can forget their 2030 target to decarbonise the electricity system let alone the housing targets but that will mean putting in place legislation that cuts out local consultation which might be easier said than done but they have to use their mandate to just push things through.

Precisely and they can forget most the the growth they want to fund many of their objectives if they don't.
They have to hit the planning fast and this can start while the OBR are doing the full review of the state of the government finances and a budget in the 2nd or 3rd weeks of September at the earliest.
One of the big question is what they will do with the normal summer recess and how much potentially gets cancelled.

 

[Thirteen]

Precisely and they can forget most the the growth they want to fund many of their objectives if they don't.
They have to hit the planning fast and this can start while the OBR are doing the full review of the state of the government finances and a budget in the 2nd or 3rd weeks of September at the earliest.
One of the big question is what they will do with the normal summer recess and how much potentially gets cancelled.

I can't imagine they'd cancel the recess, cut it by a week maybe but even the Christmas break wasn't cancelled after the 2019 election so letting MPs have time away from Parliament to do their surgeries and have an actual holiday is a good thing.

 

[LAX54]

Oh yes. No more fighting for a decent pay rise now that Labour are in. They'll be totally different to those nasty Conservatives.

lol don't hold your breath

 

[Llanigraham]

I can't imagine they'd cancel the recess, cut it by a week maybe but even the Christmas break wasn't cancelled after the 2019 election so letting MPs have time away from Parliament to do their surgeries and have an actual holiday is a good thing.

Parliament may be in recess but that will not stop the numerous meetings between Ministers and their Civil Servants that are needed to bring everyone on-line.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Parliament may be in recess but that will not stop the numerous meetings between Ministers and their Civil Servants that are needed to bring everyone on-line.

In some respects the recess is good as they can get on with the nitty gritty without having to worry about parliamentary scruitiny or select committees.

 

[Thirteen]

Parliament may be in recess but that will not stop the numerous meetings between Ministers and their Civil Servants that are needed to bring everyone on-line.

Oh, I don't think it ever stops for Government but those breaks are important because refreshed MPs are better than frazzled MPs.

 

[QSK19]

I think a few are a little optimistic about Labour here. I get that there is a lot of Tory kicking going on (the “past 14 years” line is already getting tiresome!) and, from reading this thread alone, the majority seem to be heavily Labour-backing; however are Labour really going to get much done? I doubt it. For example, the unions are understandably chuffed that Labour are in, but they’re not going to stop their strikes on that basis.

People who think that everything will suddenly be fixed and the future is rosy are mistaken. Labour have such a majority that they are unaccountable, so they need not adhere to any of their election promises; and if finances are that bad, then what money have they got to spend on infrastructure, give rail workers pay increases, etc?

A change of Government doesn’t necessarily mean that anything will change. I think that, once the dust has settled on this election and we figure out how the new Government functions (without being able to be held to account), many will be sorely disappointed. Let’s not forget that they won barely a third of votes cast - the description of this being a “loveless landslide” was very apt.

But, remaining objective and in the spirit of giving a new administration a chance, let’s see what happens!

 

[NEDdrv]

Well it will have to come from somewhere. And judging by how much wealth train drivers currently generate for the economy driving around packed trains, it'd be very difficult not to justify a fair and reasonable rise plus backpay. (I'm thinking about 3 percent ish). If its good enough for more or less everyone else in society I see no reason why Labour will treat train drivers differently. I also think Labour will recognise that the strikes cost a lot more money to the economy than was ever saved by not giving drivers a modest rise, and that's why I think this will be settled quickly.

Let’s not sell ourselves short, RMT got 5% for 2022 when inflation was in double figures, that should be at least the place to start.

 

[43096]

A lot of us are awaiting our pay deals.

Don’t take too long

You probably want to have a look at what Rachel Reeves has already said about the state of the country's finances.

 

[GardenRail]

Let’s not sell ourselves short, RMT got 5% for 2022 when inflation was in double figures, that should be at least the place to start.

She's certainly got a lot to sort out. Network Rail and the RMT are still rumbling on 7 months after the anniversary. It'll soon be time to discuss the 2025 negotiations. I think NR and RMT meet the week after next, so that should be interesting to see if there is any change in stance with a new government.

 

[Thirteen]

6-7% backpay for the last few years similar to what ARL drivers got in 2022 would end the current industrial action. RMT and Network Rail is another thing entirely but assume whoever they appoint for Rail Minister will be less hostile.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

6-7% backpay for the last few years similar to what ARL drivers got in 2022 would end the current industrial action. RMT and Network Rail is another thing entirely but assume whoever they appoint for Rail Minister will be less hostile.

As long as T&Cs are delinked and individual operators left to work within a specific financial constraint they should at least create an environment to allow constructive negotiations.

 

[dk1]

You probably want to have a look at what Rachel Reeves has already said about the state of the country's finances.

I’m confidently hoping she’ll turn a blind eye and approve a deal for us wonderful drivers

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Can only screenshot from "tomorrows newspapers" website but "i" newspaper says GBR will be included in the Kings Speech to nationalise the network. Certainly getting on with it and probably taking Tory legislation proposals and tweaking it up

 

[jon0844]

I’m confidently hoping she’ll turn a blind eye and approve a deal for us wonderful drivers

Didn't Labour say they'd resolve the dispute within the first 100 days? (I ask this because I was told this second hand, so don't have any link to such a statement).

 

[dk1]

Didn't Labour say they'd resolve the dispute within the first 100 days? (I ask this because I was told this second hand, so don't have any link to such a statement).

We have all heard something similar so let’s jolly well hope so. Five years and counting

 

[Thirteen]

100 days?! pfft, I think before Parliament goes on recess would be a better goal.

 

[wanderingriver]

Can only screenshot from "tomorrows newspapers" website but "i" newspaper says GBR will be included in the Kings Speech to nationalise the network. Certainly getting on with it and probably taking Tory legislation proposals and tweaking it up

Here is a copy of Labour's plan for GBR. Things may change but I think this was released about 2 months ago: https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/up...ING-Labours-Plan-to-Fix-Britains-Railways.pdf

 

[brad465]

I think a better relationship with the Mayor of London and TfL will be a start, I don't expect a blank cheque but ways to raise more money in fund big tickets like replacing the 1972 stock should be expected IMO

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I thought that was DCMS or what is formally called the Department of Fun.

The 1972 stock replacement should be a win:win for Labour, they improve public transport in London where they hold many seats, while at the same time keep the Goole factory open in the northern heartlands (as well as the fact they genuinely need replacing).