Simon Lightwood MP

Labour & Co-operative MP for Wakefield and Rothwell. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Roads and Buses) 🏳️‍🌈

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the train driver who has tragically lost their life in yesterday's collision near Bedford.

This is a devastating loss and the whole rail family will be deeply saddened by the news.

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

Deeply saddened to hear one person has died and a number of people injured in the awful train collision near Bedford. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and everyone affected. Emergency services remain on scene.

[The Labour Party @UKLabour]

Congratulations to Andy Burnham, Labour MP for Makerfield!

[Simon Lightwood MP @simonlightwood]

Great to speak at #MOVE2026 on how autonomous vehicles can boost independence, create highly skilled jobs and unlock billions for the UK economy

We’re consulting on the safety framework to support innovation, protect road users and make Britain a world leader in this technology

[Jake Richards MP @JakeBenRichards]

Bumped into these legends in Makerfield. And the sun is coming out! ☀️ 🌹

[Simon Lightwood MP @simonlightwood]

Passengers one step closer to booking taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles.

https://t.co/57Gw7oIPAy

[UK Prime Minister @10DowningStreet]

This government has delivered the biggest single month drop in waiting times in 17 years.

We are fixing the NHS so it’s fit for the future.

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

Enjoyed chatting to @oliver_wright this week as we took another big step towards building a railway Britain can rely on and be proud of.👇🇬🇧🚆
https://t.co/Ap6Uh40IJ2

[SMMT @SMMT]

📢"Today is a significant milestone in the safe and responsible rollout of automated vehicles on British roads. For the first time, legislation will allow operators to offer passenger-carrying commercial services – such as robotaxis – to the general public"

@MikeHawesSMMT welcomes the self-driving vehicles pilot scheme

https://t.co/kpqMWzYBpr

@transportgovuk @simonlightwood

[Simon Lightwood MP @simonlightwood]

Self-driving vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for Britain, opening up independent travel for disabled people and older adults, while driving growth and creating high-skilled jobs across the UK.

https://t.co/twRfqzXFar

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

Another big rail moment today, as South Western gets its first GBR train.

Since coming into public ownership, a new fleet of trains has been rolling out, giving passengers more spacious, comfortable & air conditioned journeys.

We're building a railway you can be proud of. 🇬🇧🚆

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

Children in England to be offered free bus trips this August https://t.co/4yEiu8rUno

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

Kids will go free on buses across England this summer!

Schemes like those run by @WestofEnglandCA & @KiMcGuinness have shown what can be done.

Parents can plan days out, visit family and make the most of holidays without added financial pressure.

https://t.co/z6LVrBtuFW

[UK Prime Minister @10DowningStreet]

We know that families are still feeling the cost of living pressure, so we’re delivering immediate support.

Free bus travel for children this August and action to cut the cost of everyday food.

Helping families get through the holidays and putting money back into people’s pockets.

[Rachel Reeves @RachelReevesMP]

Good news for families - every child aged 5-15 in England will travel free on buses this summer, with unlimited journeys, no registration required, and no cost to families.

Our economic plan is the right one. Tackling the cost of living and building a stronger Britain.

[Simon Lightwood MP @simonlightwood]

We’re not just talking about better transport, we’re delivering it.

Back at #UKREiiF in Leeds today talking about how we’re empowering local leaders and sharing how buses, rail, roads & active travel are connecting communities and driving economic growth across the country.

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

Eagle-eyed train fans have spotted something exciting is coming.

I am looking forward to saying more about this later this week...👀🇬🇧🚆

[Simon Lightwood MP @simonlightwood]

I hope Andy Burnham is given the opportunity to stand for selection in the Makerfield by-election.

We need the full breadth of talent and experience in our movement in Parliament to deliver for the British people 🌹

[Andy Burnham @AndyBurnhamGM]

I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election.

I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics.

Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic.

Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures.

However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people.

Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place.

I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that.

Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again.

ENDS

[Heidi Alexander MP @Heidi_Labour]

This Government is getting on with the job: we’ve now banned the online bots which have been scraping up driving test slots. This will help to prevent the exploitation of learners and will help to drive down test waiting times.👇🚗

https://t.co/UxPmOuqmke

[The Labour Party @UKLabour]

Our latest Party Election Broadcast cannot be shown in full on TV. But we think you should see it anyway - uncensored. https://t.co/bp91qJnyP2