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 separated from Fiona in early 2006.

Robert was appointed by the Prime Minister, David Cameron to be a member of his Government in September 2012.  Robert is now a Government Whip with responsibility for the Home Office and the Energy and Climate Change Departments.

He 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 first elected MP for Poole in 1997 and re-elected in 2010 with his biggest majority.

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. From November 2003 to July 2007, he served as a Shadow Minister for Local Government. He served from 2008 to 2010 as a member of the Health Select Committee.
 
Robert served as Chairman of the Regulatory Reform Select Committee from July 2010 to September 2012.  Robert is Chairman of the All-Party Group on the Private Rented Sector and is also an Officer of the All-Party Finnish Group and the All-Party Group for Micro-Credits.

Contact Robert

Email: symsr@pooleconservatives.org
Telephone: 01202 739922
Fax: 01202 739944
Postal Address: 38 Sandbanks Road, Poole, Dorset, BH14 8BX

Trips to Westminster

Every year thousands of visitors, groups and individuals, come to Parliament for a tour, facilitated by their MP.

The walking tour of the Palace of Westminster includes –

- Westminster Hall, the ancient hall at the heart of the Palace where Parliament first sat and where many historic events have taken place.
- The House of Commons, including the Speaker's Chair and the famous green benches and the 'lobbies' where MPs actually vote.
- The House of Lords, including the Royal Throne.
- The Queen's Robing Room, Royal Gallery and many other fascinating parts of the Palace of Westminster.

Please note that tours are very popular and places are limited so generally have to be booked about six months in advance.

Please contact my office to enquire about a visit to Westminster.