About Robert Smith
Sir Robert Smith at Westminster
Robert Smith has been the Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine since 1997 and has been selected to stand again.
He was first elected MP for the new seat in 1997, with a majority over the Conservatives of 2,662 votes. He has represented the constituency ever since and at the last election, in 2005, Robert won with 46.3% of the votes, increasing the majority over the Conservatives to 7,471 votes.
Robert presently holds the position of Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. He is a member of the Energy & Climate Change Committee and the Procedures Committee. His previous portfolios include the party's Energy spokesperson and Deputy Chief Whip. He has served on the Trade & Industry Committee, the Scottish Affairs Committee and the International Development Committee. Robert's support and long term commitment to the North Sea oil and gas industry is also reflected in his position as Joint Vice-Chair of the UK Offshore and Gas Industry Group.
Robert campaigns on many important issues on behalf of his constituents, including fighting fuel poverty where he has spoken out in Parliament and promoted a private members bill on health and energy efficiency. He is Vice Chair of the Warm Homes Group at Westminster which was set up to raise awareness of the problem of fuel poverty and the policies which eradicate it. Robert also service as Honorary Vice-President of Energy Action Scotland.
He has lobbied strongly over the years for the Government to do more to promote investment in the offshore industry on which so many local jobs depend and has welcomed the recent extension of the Field Allowance to frontier areas to develop both oil and gas reserves west of Shetland.
Sir Robert Smith and Cllr Tom Fleming at Johnshaven Post Office
Robert has consistently campaigned for key rural services such as the Post Office network and access to broadband.
He is a supporter of MacMillan Cancer Support being a regular participant in the charity's annual Tug of War event between the Commons and the Lords which has become an established part of the Parliamentary Calendar.
Before entering Parliament he represented the Upper Donside ward on Aberdeenshire Council, as well as being Vice Convenor of the Grampian Joint Police Board.
As graduate he has twice served as a member of the Aberdeen University Court. He graduated from the University with a degree in Mathematics after going to school at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood. Both his grandfather, also Sir Robert Smith, and his Cousin, Alick Buchanan-Smith were local Conservative MPs for the North East.
Outside politics, Robert enjoys sailing, and hill walking. He is married to Fiona and has three daughters.
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