30 Facts About Heidi Alexander

Heidi Alexander was born on 17 April 1975 and is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Transport since November 2024.

Heidi Alexander was elected to the Lewisham London Borough Council for Evelyn in 2004 and was elected as the MP for Lewisham East in the 2010 General election.

Heidi Alexander was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh before becoming an Opposition whip in 2012.

In 2018 Heidi Alexander resigned her seat to become Deputy Mayor of London for Transport where she remained until 2021.

Heidi Alexander then served as Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services until she was appointed Transport Secretary in November 2024, replacing Louise Haigh.

Heidi Alexander was born in Swindon, Wiltshire to Malcolm, an electrician, and Elaine Heidi Alexander.

Heidi Alexander was educated at Churchfields Comprehensive School and New College Sixth Form.

Heidi Alexander studied at Grey College, Durham, where she received a BA in geography and an MA in European Urban and Regional Change.

Heidi Alexander had a 6-month placement in the office of Cherie Blair at 10 Downing Street in 1998.

Heidi Alexander worked as a Parliamentary researcher for Lewisham MP Joan Ruddock from 1999 to 2005, and as campaigns manager for the charity Clothes Aid from 2005 to 2006.

Heidi Alexander served as a member of Lewisham London Borough Council for Evelyn from a by-election in 2004 until 2010.

Heidi Alexander was Deputy Mayor of Lewisham and Cabinet Member for Regeneration from 2006 to 2010.

Heidi Alexander was selected as the Labour candidate for Lewisham East in October 2009, and elected to Parliament at the 2010 general election.

Shortly after her election to Parliament, Heidi Alexander was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Mary Creagh, then the shadow environment secretary.

Heidi Alexander became an Opposition whip in 2012, and was promoted to Deputy Shadow Minister for London and a senior Opposition whip in 2013.

Heidi Alexander served as a member of the Communities and Local Government Committee from 2010 to 2012 and Health Committee from 2016 to 2017.

Heidi Alexander became the first shadow cabinet minister to resign in June 2016, calling for a new party leader after the EU referendum and dismissal of Hilary Benn.

In May 2018, Heidi Alexander resigned her seat in Parliament to become Deputy Mayor of London for Transport under Sadiq Khan.

Heidi Alexander served as Deputy Chair of Transport for London in her role, and remained on the body's board until the opening of Crossrail.

Heidi Alexander notably worked to tackle delays to the opening of Crossrail and re-opening of Hammersmith Bridge, and took up cycling to promote that method of transport.

In June 2022, Heidi Alexander announced her intention to seek selection as the Labour candidate for Swindon South.

Heidi Alexander was selected in July 2022 as prospective parliamentary candidate for the seat, and was successful at the 2024 general election.

Heidi Alexander was appointed Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services at the Ministry of Justice.

Heidi Alexander was appointed Secretary of State for Transport in November 2024, succeeding Louise Haigh.

Heidi Alexander was appointed to the Privy Council, giving her the honorific title of The Right Honourable for life.

Heidi Alexander supported Andy Burnham in the 2010 and 2015 Labour leadership elections, and Owen Smith in the 2016 Labour leadership election.

Heidi Alexander chaired Sadiq Khan's campaign for the 2016 London mayoral election.

Heidi Alexander opposed the triggering of Article 50 following the EU referendum, proposing a "reasoned amendment" in January 2017 to throw out the article.

Heidi Alexander co-founded the Labour Campaign for the Single Market in 2017, and is a supporter of the pro-EU group Open Britain.

In November 2024, Heidi Alexander voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, which proposes to legalise assisted suicide.