Robert Atkins (politician)

For other people named Robert Atkins, see Robert Atkins (disambiguation).

Sir Robert James Atkins (born 5 February 1946 in London) is a British Conservative politician. Educated at Highgate School, he served as a councillor for the London Borough of Haringey from 1968 to 1977. He was the Member of Parliament for Preston North and South Ribble from 1979 to 1997 and became a Member of the European Parliament for the North West England region in 1999. He was Deputy Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament until November 2007 and was Chief Whip from November 2008 to November 2009. He was Conservative Spokesman on Industry and External Trade from 2001–2004, and was Spokesman on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism from 1999-2001.) He is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Transport & Tourism Committee. From 1984 to 1987 he was President of Conservative Trade Unionists. He was knighted in 1997 for services to the country and is a Freeman of the City of London.

He was made a member of the Privy Council in 1995 and was a minister in the following positions:

• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1987 to 1989)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (1989 to 1990)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment and Minister for Sport (1990)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science and Minister for Sport (1990 to 1992)
• Minister of State, Northern Ireland (1992 to 1994)
• Minister of State for Environment and Countryside (1994 to 1995)

References

The Conservative Party website http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_the_European_Parliament/Atkins_Robert.aspx

• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "P" (part 2)

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Robert Atkins
• Sir Robert Atkins's Home Page
• European Parliament Page for Sir Robert Atkins

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Ronald Atkins	Member of Parliament for Preston North 1979 – 1983	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member of Parliament for South Ribble 1983 – 1997	Succeeded by David Borrow
Political offices
Preceded by Colin Moynihan	Minister for Sport 1990–1992	Succeeded by Robert Key