So who is Philip Hammond, and how did he become Secretary of State for Transport, especially given that Theresa Villiers has been shadow secretary of state for transport since July 2007?
Well, from 10 minutes of surfing the internet, Roadtransport.com has learnt that Hammond is 54 and the Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, a position he's held for 13 years.
He's held various shadow positions, most notably health for more than three years under William Hague, and chief secretary to the Treasury since July 2007 until yesterday (12 May 2010) under David Cameron.
The Guardian describes him as an: "Intelligent picador, able to penetrate Labour defences with sharp questions."
According to Theyworkforyou.com, Hammond has spoken in 14 debates in the past year (which is the average). His voting record at Publicwhip.org.uk reveals that he has voted strongly for laws to stop climate change and voted strongly against more EU integration.
He has had many business interests including house building and property, manufacturing, healthcare and oil and gas. He has undertaken various consulting assignments in Latin America for the World Bank in Washington, DC, and was a consultant to the government of Malawi from 1995 until his election to Parliament.
In October 2009, New Statesman estimated his personal wealth at £9m and describes his directorship of Castlemead Property - "in which he has shares worth £4.9m" - as "lucrative".
Philip Hammond
Age: 54
Recreation: hill-walking in Scotland, cinema, reading
Parliamentary career (according the Conservative Party):
- MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, 1997 - to present
- Shadow minister for health, June 1998 - September 2001
- Shadow trade & industry minister and shadow minister for small business, September 2001 - 2002
- Shadow minister for local government and regions, 2002-2005
- Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, May 2005 - December 2005
- Shadow secretary of state for work & pensions, December 2005 - July 2007
- Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, July 2007 - May 2010
- Secretary of State for Transport, May 2010
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