‘Honour your promise on rail electrification’: New Lib Dem Peer tables first question in Lords

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

The Liberal Democrats’ first Hull-based parliamentarian has been officially introduced to the House of Lords.

Former Lib Dem city councillor Dave McCobb was officially appointed Lord McCobb of Kingston upon Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire in a short ceremony this morning.

He wasted no time in getting down to business, making his first act as a Liberal Democrat Peer the tabling of a Parliamentary written question to the Government demanding it makes good on a promise to electrify the railway line between Hull and Selby.

The question said: “To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to honour their September 2024 commitment to bring Hull into Northern Powerhouse Rail, including the electrification and improvement of the line between Hull, Leeds and Sheffield, following the exclusion of Hull from the Northern Powerhouse Rail plans announced in January 2026.”

The Government previously committed, through the Hull and East Yorkshire devolution deal, to bring Hull into Northern Powerhouse Rail by “electrifying and improving the line speed” towards Leeds and Sheffield. That commitment was linked to faster journeys, increased frequency and greater capacity.

While the Government announced new battery-electric trains for Hull last week, this did not include meeting the promise of rail-line electrification.

Lord McCobb said: “My first act in Parliament is to demand the Government make good on the longstanding promise of rail electrification.

“Hull and East Yorkshire has been left behind and held back for so many years. The promise of rail electrification cannot just disappear – they made a promise in 2024, and they must keep it.

“It’s not fair for Hull or East Yorkshire residents, and I’ll make it my mission to stand up for local people while calling on the Government to give our part of the world its fair share of investment.

“Hull and East Yorkshire is a special part of the world to me. I was born here, brought up here and now live here with my family. I am excited to get to work, campaigning for more investment and recognition for this great part of the world.”

Earlier this month the Department for Transport announced £1bn of investment in a new fleet of 29 battery-electric TransPennine Express trains.

The trains will operate services between key destinations across the North, including Manchester Piccadilly and Hull. The battery-electric Adessia Stream trains, the first of their kind on a UK main line route, will provide emission-free travel on non-electrified sections of the railway. They are due to be built from 2028 and enter service in winter 2034.

Lord McCobb was a city councillor for 24 years.