Jim McMahon becomes Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon

In a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle the Leader of the Labour Party has made Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon the new Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Jim had been Shadow Secretary of State for Transport since April 2020 and follows in the footsteps of the late Michael Meacher MP former MP for Oldham West and Royton, who similarly served as the Shadow Transport Secretary and then to Shadow Environment. 

Jim McMahon MP said, “I’ve enjoyed and relished leading on Transport for the front bench, it allowed me to move beyond local government and into an area I had a keen interest in.”

“The past two years have been devastating for transport operators; from local public transport to international travel. Right through to the most recent HGV driver shortage crisis.

"We’ve seen major changes in bus policy, rail and infrastructure and there was never a dull moment.”

“I am keen to expand my experience and broaden my perspective on the issues facing different communities across the country, and so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to a new role as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).”

“An interesting fact is that this follows the footsteps of my predecessor Michael Meacher, who served as Shadow Transport before moving to Shadow Environment.

"He was perhaps most impactful in government when he introduced the “Right to Roam” which freed up the countryside for walkers.”

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