About Heidi Alexander
Heidi Alexander (born 17 April 1975) is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Transport since November 2024. A member of the Labour Party, she has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Swindon South since 2024. Previously she was the MP for Lewisham East from 2010 to 2018. Born in Swindon, Alexander studied at Churchfields Comprehensive School (now Lawn Manor Academy) and New College before going on to gain a BA in geography and an MA in European Urban and Regional Change from Grey College, Durham. Alexander then consecutively served as a parliamentary researcher for MP Joan Ruddock and as a campaign manager for the charity Clothes Aid. Alexander was elected to the Lewisham London Borough Council for Evelyn in 2004 and was elected the MP for Lewisham East in the 2010 general election. Alexander was appointed parliamentary private secretary to Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh before becoming an opposition whip in 2012. Promoted to Deputy Shadow Minister for London and a senior opposition whip in 2013, she became Shadow Secretary of State for Health after the election of Jeremy Corbyn to the Labour leadership. In 2016 she was part of the coordinated resignation from the Shadow Cabinet ostensibly because of Corbyn's response to the EU referendum and the dismissal of Hilary Benn for encouraging fellow Shadow Cabinet members to resign. In 2018 Alexander resigned her seat to become Deputy Mayor of London for Transport where she remained until 2021. In the 2024 general election Alexander was elected the MP for Swindon South. 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 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. She co-founded the Labour Campaign for the Single Market in 2017, and is a supporter of the pro-EU group Open Britain.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.