Trevor Skeet facts for kids

Sir Trevor Herbert Harry Skeet (born 28 January 1918, died 14 August 2004) was an important person in British politics. He was born in New Zealand and became a lawyer. Later, he moved to the United Kingdom and became a politician for the Conservative Party.

Trevor Skeet's Early Life

Trevor Skeet was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He went to King's College, Auckland and then the University of Auckland. During World War II, he served in the New Zealand Army and Navy. After the war, he became a lawyer. He worked as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand. Later, he became a lawyer in England in 1947.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Trevor Skeet wanted to become a politician. He first tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1951 and again in 1955. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the UK Parliament.

Serving in Parliament

In 1959, he was elected as the MP for Willesden East. He held this seat until 1964. Later, he became the MP for Bedford from 1970 to 1983. He then represented North Bedfordshire from 1983 until 1997.

Political Views

During his time in Parliament, Trevor Skeet was known for his strong views. He often disagreed with his own party's government, especially about the Maastricht Treaty. This treaty was about how European countries would work together. Skeet was a "Eurosceptic," meaning he was cautious about the UK's close ties with Europe. He was one of only a few Conservative MPs who voted against the government many times.

Personal Life and Knighthood

Trevor Skeet was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Gilling, and they had two sons. She passed away in 1973. In 1985, he married Valerie Benson. They lived in Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire. In 1986, he was given the title of Sir, which is a special honour. He passed away in 2004.