Robin Hodgson, Baron Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
Encyclopedia
Robin Granville Hodgson, Baron Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE
(born 25 April 1942, Leamington Spa
) is a British
Conservative Party
politician.
In both 1974 general elections, Hodgson unsuccessfully contested the strong Labour
seat of Walsall North against the incumbent, John Stonehouse
. But in the 1976 by-election
caused by the imprisoned Stonehouse's resignation, Hodgson managed to overturn the large Labour majority to become the Member of Parliament
.
However, in the 1979 general election
, he could not hold the seat against the Labour candidate David Winnick
, despite achieving an 11% swing.
In 1981 he was selected as candidate for the safe Conservative seat of Stratford-upon-Avon, but resigned his candidature in 1982 for undisclosed personal reasons, and never returned to the Commons.
He served as Chairman of the National Union of Conservative Associations from 1996–98, and as Chairman of the National Conservative Convention from 1998-2000.
He was created a life peer, as Baron Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, of Nash in the County of Shropshire on 7 June 2000.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 25 April 1942, Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or Leamington or Leam to locals, is a spa town in central Warwickshire, England. Formerly known as Leamington Priors, its expansion began following the popularisation of the medicinal qualities of its water by Dr Kerr in 1784, and by Dr Lambe...
) is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician.
In both 1974 general elections, Hodgson unsuccessfully contested the strong Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
seat of Walsall North against the incumbent, John Stonehouse
John Stonehouse
John Thomson Stonehouse was a British politician and minister under Harold Wilson. Stonehouse is perhaps best remembered for his unsuccessful attempt at faking his own death in 1974...
. But in the 1976 by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
caused by the imprisoned Stonehouse's resignation, Hodgson managed to overturn the large Labour majority to become the Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
.
However, in the 1979 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1979
The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on 3 May 1979 to elect 635 members to the British House of Commons. The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher ousted the incumbent Labour government of James Callaghan with a parliamentary majority of 43 seats...
, he could not hold the seat against the Labour candidate David Winnick
David Winnick
David Julian Winnick is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Walsall North since 1979....
, despite achieving an 11% swing.
In 1981 he was selected as candidate for the safe Conservative seat of Stratford-upon-Avon, but resigned his candidature in 1982 for undisclosed personal reasons, and never returned to the Commons.
He served as Chairman of the National Union of Conservative Associations from 1996–98, and as Chairman of the National Conservative Convention from 1998-2000.
He was created a life peer, as Baron Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, of Nash in the County of Shropshire on 7 June 2000.