Louise Haigh, the UK Transport Secretary, has resigned from her position after pleading guilty to incorrectly telling police in 2013 that a work mobile phone was stolen. In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, she expressed regret for the distraction her actions may cause and stated her commitment to continue supporting the political project from outside the government. Haigh emphasized her pride in the achievements made since the election and vowed to continue fighting for the people of Sheffield Heeley.
Political commentators have noted Haigh’s departure, with some speculating on the reasons behind it. Haigh, a long-serving frontbencher, was seen as a standard-bearer of the “soft left” within the Cabinet. Her resignation marks the first Cabinet casualty of the new government, with reports suggesting she believed she would be staying in her post before the incident came to light.
During her time in office, Haigh focused on ambitious transport initiatives, including taking the rail system back into public ownership and investing in bus services. She faced some controversy in October after criticizing P&O Ferries, which prompted a response from Starmer distancing himself from her comments.
In response to Haigh’s resignation, Prime Minister Starmer thanked her for her contributions to the government’s transport agenda and left the door open for her eventual return to government, recognizing her potential to make a significant contribution in the future. Louise Haigh’s resignation highlights the challenges and accountability faced by political figures in public office.
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