The man behind the Award

Robin was born in Fremantle, Western Australia to British parents. He was two years old when his father, a political activist, threw a rock through the windows of the West Australian parliament. This resulted in the family being deported to Britain. Many years later Robin and Val went on a parliamentary trip to Australia and he told the story to the Premier of Western Australia. The next evening at a reception the Premier handed Robin a bill for the window. Aside from his humour, Robin was quite stubborn. Colleagues told him he would hinder his career by helping the Iranian Resistance and getting involved with unpopular causes like prison reform. But he didn’t care – and these crusades did not affect his standing in both Houses.

From his friend and colleague Lord Grocott:
“The art of the politician came naturally to Robin. He was an outstanding servant of two constituencies. In Parliament, he made contributions of permanent significance, most notably with the Sexual Offences Act. He loved people and company, and people warmed to him. He was a big man with a strong jaw, a smile, and a ready wit. He had a big personality: people knew when he was in the room. He rarely spoke ill of anyone. There was no malice in him. His warmth was reciprocated with many friends in all political parties and in both Houses of Parliament. Being a politician was something he had fought hard to achieve, coming as he did from humble beginnings. Through more than 30 years in Parliament he demonstrated to all who knew him that his chosen profession was one in which he excelled.”

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