Member of Parliament for Poole
Shadow Minister for Local Government

About Robert

Robert was born in 1956. He was educated at Colston's School, Bristol and has a Road Haulage Managers (CPC) Certificate. He has two children, Imogen and Nicholas, and seperated from Fiona in early 2006.

Robert is a former Managing Director of a Building and Plant Hire Group and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (F.C.I.O.B).

Robert was elected MP for Poole in 1997.

In December 1999 he was appointed as Frontbench Spokesman for environment, transport and the regions. In September 2001, he was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party. In March 2003, he was also appointed as an Opposition Whip. Since November 2003, he has been a Shadow Minister for Local Government.

Between 1979 and 1988 he held a number of positions in the North Wiltshire Conservative Association. From 1982 he was Association Treasurer, Deputy Chairman, Chairman and then Vice-President.

He was elected to Wiltshire County Council in 1985 and served as a Whip 1990-93. During the same period he was also Vice-Chairman of the Finance committee. He served as a councilor on North Wiltshire District council from 1983-87. He was Vice-Chairman of the Council and Leader of the majority Conservative Group from 1984-87.

He was a member of the Wessex Regional health Authority 1988-90. He was a Founder Chairman of the Calne Development Project Trust (a community Regeneration Scheme based in Calne 1986-97. He contested the Parliamentary seat of Walsall North in 1992.

Robert is currently campaigning for a fairer deal for Poole from the Government on funding for local government, National Health Service and the Police.