![Standing down: Rail Minister Huw Merriman. Philip Sherratt](https://fft-keymodernrailways.b-cdn.net/sites/modernrailways/files/styles/media_image_mobile/public/2024-05/merriman_at_rail_forum_parly_reception_22.04.24_ps_2.jpg?h=7d50b633&itok=2QcLb0aP)
Rail Minister Huw Merriman is to stand down as an MP at the General Election on 4 July.
In a statement, he said: ‘Transport has been my passion throughout my time in Parliament. I am grateful to have served for seven years on the Transport Select Committee, with almost three as Chair.’
First elected in 2015, he served as a member of the Transport Committee from July that year to November 2019 – with a short break in 2017- and chaired it from January 2020 to October 2022, when he was appointed Rail Minister.
To his successor as MP for Bexhill and Battle and the future Rail Minister, he said: ‘If these roles bring even half the amount of happiness as they have brought me, then it will make you very proud.’