George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen
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Official portrait, 2020
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| 10th Secretary General of NATO | |
| In office 14 October 1999 – 17 December 2003 |
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| Deputy | Sergio Balanzino Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo |
| Preceded by | Javier Solana |
| Succeeded by | Jaap de Hoop Scheffer |
| Secretary of State for Defence | |
| In office 3 May 1997 – 11 October 1999 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | Michael Portillo |
| Succeeded by | Geoff Hoon |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 21 October 1993 – 2 May 1997 |
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| Leader | John Smith Margaret Beckett (acting) Tony Blair |
| Shadowing | Ian Lang Michael Forsyth |
| Preceded by | Tom Clarke |
| Succeeded by | Jacqui Lait (2001) |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 3 February 2000 Life peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Hamilton South Hamilton (1978–1997) |
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| In office 31 May 1978 – 24 August 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Alexander Wilson |
| Succeeded by | William Tynan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Islay MacNeill Robertson
12 April 1946 Port Ellen, Argyll, Scotland |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse |
Sandra Wallace
(m. 1970) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Dundee |
George Robertson, also known as Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, is a British politician. He was the leader of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) from 1999 to 2003. Before that, he was in charge of defence for the UK government. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for many years.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Robertson was born on April 12, 1946, in Port Ellen, Scotland. His father was a policeman, and his mother taught French and German. His grandfather was a police sergeant who wrote about the kindness of people during shipwrecks in World War One.
Robertson went to Dunoon Grammar School. He later studied economics at Queen's College, Dundee. When he was 15, he protested against US nuclear submarines in Scotland.
During his time at Queen's College, it became the University of Dundee. Robertson was one of its first graduates in 1968. He wrote for the student newspaper and was active in student protests. He encouraged students to choose a degree from the new University of Dundee. Today, he is the Chancellor of the University of Dundee.
In 1968, Robertson and other students protested against apartheid during a rugby match. He also organized a 24-hour work-in at the university library. This was to protest against proposed cuts to student grants.
Family Life
George Robertson married Sandra Wallace on June 1, 1970. They have two sons and one daughter. Robertson is a fan of the Hamilton Academical football club.
Car Accident and Safety
On January 19, 1976, Robertson was in a serious car crash. A Navy Land Rover carrying explosives hit his car. He suffered two injured knees and a broken jaw. The Land Rover driver was found guilty of careless driving. Robertson said wearing his seat belt saved his life.
Political Journey
Robertson became a Labour MP in 1978. He won the Hamilton by-election that year. He kept his seat in Parliament through five more elections. He was also the Chairman of the Labour Party in Scotland.
Defence Secretary Role
After the Labour Party won the 1997 election, Robertson became the Secretary of State for Defence. He started a big review of the UK's defence plans in 1998. This review aimed to make the UK's military a "force for good." It led to the creation of a new rapid reaction force. It also planned for two large new aircraft carriers, the Queen Elizabeth-class. These carriers would show the government's commitment to defence.
However, the government had promised to follow earlier spending plans. This meant a £2 billion cut to the defence budget at first. Even with later increases, the budget was not enough for all the new plans. Some people said Robertson had created an "unaffordable dream."
Leading NATO
In 1999, Robertson was chosen to be the Secretary General of NATO. This is a very important international role. He led NATO during the United States invasion of Afghanistan. In October 2001, NATO used Article V of its treaty for the first time. This article means that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
Before the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Robertson said NATO had a "moral obligation" to support the United States.
In September 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Robertson spoke about his meetings with Vladimir Putin. He said that Putin had wanted Russia to be part of Western Europe and even asked about joining NATO. Robertson felt that an opportunity was missed to bring Russia closer to the West after he left NATO.
Views on Scottish Independence
In 1995, Robertson said that giving more power to Scotland (devolution) would stop the idea of Scottish independence. This quote is often remembered, especially since the Scottish National Party (SNP) has won several Scottish Parliament elections since 2007.
Robertson was against Scottish independence in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. He wrote that if Scotland left the UK, the UK's global standing would "inevitably diminish." He also said that the break-up of Britain would be "cataclysmic in geo-political terms."
Dunblane Tragedy and Lawsuit
Robertson's children went to the school in Dunblane where a terrible shooting happened in 1996. After the event, Robertson, who lived in the town, spoke for the victims' families. He also helped lead the campaign that resulted in a ban on handguns in Great Britain.
In 2003, a newspaper article discussed secret documents about the shooting. Some people online wrongly claimed Robertson had approved a gun license for the shooter. Robertson had never been the shooter's MP, and the claims were false. Robertson sued the newspaper, and they paid him a large sum. This case was important because it helped decide if publishers are responsible for comments on their websites.
Life After NATO
After leaving NATO, Robertson received many awards and honors. He has 12 honorary doctorates from different universities.
He also works as a Senior Counsellor at The Cohen Group. This company gives advice on marketing and business.
In August 2021, he criticized the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan. He said that the conflict there was "never really taken... with the seriousness that it demanded."
In July 2024, the new Labour government announced that Robertson would lead a defence review.
Career Highlights
- 1968–1978: Official for the GMB Union in the Scottish whisky industry.
- 1978–1999: Member of Parliament for Hamilton or Hamilton South.
- 1979: Parliamentary Private Secretary for Social Services.
- 1979–1982: Opposition Spokesman on Scottish Affairs and Defence.
- 1982–1993: Opposition Spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Chief Opposition Spokesman on Europe.
- 1993–1997: Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.
- May 1997: Appointed to the Privy Council.
- May 1997 – October 1999: Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom.
- October 1999 – January 2004: 10th Secretary General of NATO and Chairman of the North Atlantic Council.
Other Roles and Positions
- Chairman of the Labour Party in Scotland.
- Vice-chairman of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
- Vice-chairman of the British Council for nine years.
- Vice-chairman of the Britain-Russia Centre.
- President of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House).
- Governor of the Ditchley Foundation.
- Trustee of the 21st Century Trust.
- Patron to the British-American Project.
- Serves on the board of Cable & Wireless International.
- Serves on the board of The Weir Group PLC.
- Serves on the board of The TNK-BP.
- Member of the Top Level Group of UK Parliamentarians for Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament and Non-proliferation.
- Honorary president of the Clan Donnachaidh Society.
- Chancellor of the University of Dundee.
Awards and Honors
Robertson has received many honors from the UK and other countries.
Orders and Medals
2003 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
2004 Knight of the Order of the Thistle (KT)
Foreign Honors
1991 Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
2000 Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
2003 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau
2003 Grand Cross of the Order of Christ
2003 Presidential Medal of Freedom
2003 – Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV
2004 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
2016 Order of St. George
Other Awards
1993 Joint Parliamentarian of the Year for his work on the Maastricht Treaty.- 2000 Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
2003 Atlantic Solidarity Award.
Recipient of the Hanno R. Ellenbogen Citizenship Award.- Elder Brother of Trinity House.
Appointments and Fellowships
- Member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom (PC).
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE).
Honorary Degrees
- 2006 Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv) from the University of Paisley.
- Honorary Doctorate from the University of Dundee.
Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford.- Honorary Doctorate from Cranfield University.
Honorary Doctorate from the Baku State University.
Honorary Military Appointments
Honorary Regimental Colonel of the London Scottish (Volunteers).
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See also
In Spanish: George Robertson para niños
