Transport Minister Anthony Browne is facing a furious backlash from MPs and disability rights campaigners after he was a conspicuous no-show at a vital parliamentary debate on accessible public transport.
The debate, secured by Labour's Marsha de Cordova, was intended to hold the government's feet to the fire on its commitment to making trains, buses, and other services usable for all. Instead, the empty frontbench chair spoke volumes, leaving disabled passengers and their representatives feeling ignored and dismissed.
A 'Shameful' Snub in the Commons
Ms. de Cordova, the former shadow minister for disabled people, did not mince her words, branding the Minister's absence as 'shameful' and a clear signal of the government's misplaced priorities. The debate centred on the widespread failures within the transport network, from inaccessible railway stations to buses without functioning ramps.
With no minister present to answer, MPs from across the house were left to voice their constituents' frustrations into a void, a move seen as a profound dereliction of democratic duty.
Mounting Pressure for Action
The incident has intensified pressure on the Department for Transport to act decisively. Campaigners argue that inaccessible transport is not a niche issue but a fundamental barrier to work, healthcare, and social inclusion for millions of people across the UK.
This public snub has raised serious questions about the government's commitment to its own promises on disability equality, suggesting that the needs of disabled travellers remain stubbornly at the bottom of the political agenda.
