Robert Dixon-Smith, Baron Dixon-Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Dixon-Smith
DL
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Official 2018 parliamentary portrait
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 11 October 1993 – 7 November 2023 Life Peerage |
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| Member of Essex County Council for Braintree East Coggeshall (1965–1981) |
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| In office 1965 – 6 May 1993 |
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| Succeeded by | Elwyn Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 September 1934 |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Georgina Cook
(m. 1960) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Oundle School |
Robert William Dixon-Smith, also known as Lord Dixon-Smith, was a British farmer and politician. He was born on September 30, 1934. Lord Dixon-Smith was a member of the Conservative Party and served in the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. He was also a former Shadow Minister for local government.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Dixon-Smith was the son of Dixon and Alice Winifred Smith. He went to Oundle School in England. He also studied at the St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont, USA, and at Writtle Agricultural College in Essex, England.
After his studies, he served in the military. He was a Second Lieutenant in the King's Dragoon Guards from 1956 to 1957.
Work in Education
Lord Dixon-Smith was very involved in education. He was a Governor at Writtle Agricultural College from 1967 to 1994. He also served as the chairman of the college from 1973 to 1985.
Later, he became the Chair of governors for Anglia Polytechnic University in 1993 and 1994. He was also a governor for what is now Anglia Ruskin University from 1973 to 2000. In 1994, he received an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University.
Local Politics in Essex
In 1965, Robert Dixon-Smith was elected to the Essex County Council. This council helps manage local services in the county of Essex. He served as the vice chairman of the council from 1983 to 1986. Then, he became the chairman from 1986 to 1989. He lost his seat on the council in the 1993 election.
For a short time, he was also a "Shadow Minister for Environment." In politics, a shadow minister is a member of the opposition party who watches over a specific government department.
Life in the House of Lords
On October 11, 1993, Robert Dixon-Smith was given a special title called a life peer. This meant he became Baron Dixon-Smith, of Bocking in the County of Essex. As a life peer, he became a member of the House of Lords, which is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. Members of the House of Lords are not elected by the public.
In December 1998, the leader of the Conservative Party, William Hague, chose him to be the party's spokesperson for local government in the House of Lords. This meant he would speak for the Conservative Party on issues related to local councils and communities.
Public Apology
In July 2008, Lord Dixon-Smith apologized to the House of Lords. He had used an old phrase that was inappropriate during a debate. He explained that the phrase "slipped out" without him thinking. He said, "I apologize, I left my brains behind."
Personal Life
Lord Dixon-Smith married Georgina Janet Cook in 1960. They had two children, one son and one daughter.
Images for kids
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The coronet of a British Baron
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The coat of arms of Robert Dixon-Smith
