Born in North Yorkshire, Robert was educated in York and at Newcastle University where he read agriculture before coming home to the family farm at Terrington near Malton.

Full statement

Between 1999 and 2004, Robert was one of Yorkshire’s three Conservative Members of the European Parliament, standing down following his selection by local Conservatives as their candidate in Scarborough and Whitby. From 2003 to 2004, Robert was the Deputy Leader of our 36 Conservative MEPs as well as spokesman on environmental policy.

A staunch Eurosceptic, Robert’s commitment to restore vital powers back to this country has been reinforced by his spell in Brussels. Fishing is top of his list in that regard.

Robert has leant his support to local peoples’ campaigns in the Scarborough and Whitby area. Most notably pressing for the upgrading of the A64 which currently limits business and tourism development on the East Coast.

Married to Maureen, they have three children, who all attended local state schools. Robert’s other passion is his steam traction engines and “Sentinel” steam lorry which can be seen at many local steam events sporting its “Keep the Pound” livery.

He was elected as a Member of Parliament in May 2005. In November 2006, Robert was appointed as an Opposition Whip and in July 2007 he was appointed as a Shadow Minister for Transport.

In May 2010, Robert became an Assistant Government Whip and in September 2012 was appointed Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury. In October 2013 he was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport.