Robin Harper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robin Harper
FRSSA
|
|
|---|---|
Harper in 2008
|
|
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothians (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) |
|
| In office 6 May 1999 – 22 March 2011 |
|
| Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen | |
| In office July 2005 – July 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Clarissa Dickson Wright |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Robertson |
| Lord Rector of the University of Edinburgh | |
| In office March 2000 – March 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | John Colquhoun |
| Succeeded by | Tam Dalyell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robin Charles Moreton Harper
4 August 1940 Thurso, Caithness, Scotland |
| Political party | Labour (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (2023–2024) Scottish Greens (1985–2023) |
| Alma mater | University of Aberdeen |
| Profession | Teacher |
| Website | robinharper.wordpress.com |
Robin Charles Moreton Harper, born on August 4, 1940, is a Scottish politician. He was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Lothians region from 1999 to 2011. He was also a leader of the Scottish Greens political party from 2004 to 2008.
Harper made history in 1999. He became the first person from the Green Party to be elected to a parliament in the United Kingdom. This happened during the first elections for the new Scottish Parliament.
Contents
Who is Robin Harper?
Early Life and Education
Robin Harper was born in Thurso, a town in Caithness, Scotland. He went to school at St Marylebone Grammar School and Elgin Academy, Moray. In 1962, he finished his studies at the University of Aberdeen.
After university, Harper worked as an English teacher in Kenya. Later, he taught a subject called Modern Studies at Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh. Before becoming a politician, he also helped out in his community. He was part of the Lothian Children's Panel from 1985 to 1988. He also served on the Lothian Health Council from 1993 to 1998.
Starting His Political Journey
Robin Harper joined the Scottish branch of the Ecology Party in 1985. This party later became the UK-wide Green Party, and then the independent Scottish Greens. When he first joined, there were only 35 members in Scotland. Their yearly meeting was even held in his own flat! He quickly became a key figure in the party.
Before being elected, he tried to become a Member of Parliament several times. He ran as a Green candidate in 1995 and 1997 but was not successful.
Serving in the Scottish Parliament
First Green MSP
In 1999, Robin Harper stood for election in the very first Scottish Parliament election. He was elected as an additional member for the Lothians region. This was a big moment because he became the first ever Green Party politician elected to a parliament in British history.
In his speech, he promised to speak up for the environment in the new Parliament. He was the only Green representative in the Parliament until the 2003 election. After that election, the Scottish Green Party won six more seats. When he was sworn in again, he said that the Green Party's main goal would be to serve the people of Scotland. He was the party's spokesperson for education and young people.
In 2004, Harper was part of the Scottish Parliament team on a TV quiz show called University Challenge: The Professionals. His team won against a team from the Welsh Assembly.
Key Moments in Parliament
In 2007, there was talk that Robin Harper might become the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. This person is like the speaker of the Parliament, making sure debates run smoothly. Harper said he would be honored to be considered for the role.
After the 2007 elections, Harper was re-elected as an MSP for the Lothians. This time, he was one of only two Green Party members elected. The Greens made an agreement with the Scottish National Party (SNP), who had won the most seats. As part of this deal, the Green MSPs voted for Alex Salmond to become First Minister of Scotland. However, the Greens did not join the SNP in a formal partnership.
Robin Harper decided not to run for re-election in 2011.
After His Time as an MSP
After leaving Parliament, Robin Harper wrote a book about his life called Dear Mr. Harper. It was published in 2011.
In 2014, he became the chairman of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This is a group that works to protect Scotland's wildlife and natural places. He held this role for three years.
Harper has continued to share his political views. In 2014, he said he would vote "no" in the referendum on Scottish independence. He even offered to help the campaign that wanted Scotland to remain part of the UK. He believed that many Greens also felt this way.
In 2021, he shared his concerns about an agreement the Greens made with the Scottish government. He felt his party should have pushed for stronger actions on oil and gas, protecting the sea, and taxes. In 2022, he joined the board of a group called Our Scottish Future, which supports Scotland remaining in the UK.
In August 2023, he announced that he had left the Scottish Green Party. He explained that he had different ideas about Scottish independence and felt the party had moved too far to the left. He also mentioned his views on trans rights as a reason for leaving. Harper also said he planned to vote for the Labour Party in the next election. In June 2024, he officially joined the Labour Party. He said he joined because of their plans to fight climate change and their ability to win against the Conservative Party.
Helping Different Groups
Robin Harper is married and has one stepson. He has supported many different organizations. For example, he was a patron of LGBT Youth Scotland. This group helps young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Scotland. He was also an Honorary Vice-President of the English-Speaking Union Scotland.
He served as the Rector of the University of Edinburgh from 2000 to 2003. He was also an Honorary President of the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group. In 2005, he was elected as the Rector of the University of Aberdeen. From 2008 to 2011, he was the President of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts.
