Minister Merriman to quit Parliament

Rail Minister Huw Merriman is to quit as an MP and will not stand at July 4’s General Election.

Merriman, who has been Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle in East Sussex since May 2015, became an expert on most rail issues during his seven years on the Transport Select Committee, two of them as chair before gaining his ministerial position in October 2022.

His final outings as a minister included a trip to Mendip Rail in Somerset on May 16, to view new wagons. He also visited Thamesmead in London to hear about the proposed extension of the Docklands Light Railway (which he described as “a no-brainer”).

He has also expressed his backing for the new fast line between Manchester and Liverpool, and is a keen supporter of the Rother Valley Railway’s plans to reconnect the Kent & East Sussex with the main line at Robertsbridge, which is in his constituency.

Writing on X, Merriman commented: “Transport has been my passion throughout my time in Parliament… as I sit in the political departure lounge, I am looking forward to a new journey (whatever that might be).”

On May 31 he was pictured with Lord Peter Hendy, Chairman of The Heritage Railway Association, at an event to rededicate the restored turntable at Robertsbridge Junction.