Sir David Robertson (19 January 1890 – 3 June 1970) was a British

accountant An accountant is a practitioner of accounting or accountancy. Accountants who have demonstrated competency through their professional associations' certification exams are certified to use titles such as Chartered Accountant, Chartered Certifi ...

, company director and politician. From a Scottish family, he represented first a constituency in London and then the Scottish highlands constituency of

Caithness and Sutherland Caithness and Sutherland was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1918 to 1997. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. The constituency was c ...

. He was an expert on the fishing industry.

Family and early career

Robertson's father John was from

Caithness Caithness ( gd, Gallaibh ; sco, Caitnes; non, Katanes) is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area of Scotland. Caithness has a land boundary with the historic county of Sutherland to the west and is otherwise bounded by ...

but became Chief Inspector of the

General Post Office The General Post Office (GPO) was the state postal system and telecommunications carrier of the United Kingdom until 1969. Before the Acts of Union 1707, it was the postal system of the Kingdom of England, established by Charles II in 1660. ...

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

, and Robertson was brought up in the city. He went to Woodside School and

Allan Glen's School Allan Glen's School was, for most of its existence, a local authority, selective secondary school for boys in Glasgow, Scotland, charging nominal fees for tuition. It was founded by the Allan Glen's Endowment Scholarship Trust on the death, i ...

. In 1907 he was apprenticed to Mitchell and Smith, Chartered Accountants, before going to the

University of Glasgow , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...

Wartime civil service

On leaving university in 1912 Robertson joined the staff of Cole, Dickin and Hills in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

. In 1915, having been a member of Glasgow University Officer Training Corps, he was commissioned into the

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Argyll (; archaically Argyle, in modern Gaelic, ), sometimes called Argyllshire, is a historic county and registration county of western Scotland. Argyll is of ancient origin, and corresponds to most of the part of the ancient kingdom of ...

and served during the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

with the British Expeditionary Force in France. He was wounded in action and returned to Britain to join the civil service. He was Sectional Accountant for the Fish, Game, Poultry and Eggs Section of the

Ministry of Food An agriculture ministry (also called an) agriculture department, agriculture board, agriculture council, or agriculture agency, or ministry of rural development) is a ministry charged with agriculture. The ministry is often headed by a minister f ...

for a time before being promoted to Assistant Director of Finance.

Frozen fish industry

After the end of the war, Robertson was Chief Accountant to the Ministry of Food at the Peace Conference in Paris. Shortly after the end of the conference he left the civil service to go into business. He was involved in companies working in the fishing and cold storage industries, pioneering the sale of frozen fish, and became Managing Director of several businesses. In 1939, Robertson used his knowledge of the industry to propose a scheme whereby the United Kingdom could maintain a supply of frozen fish from safe fishing grounds in the event of war."Frozen Fish Imports", ''The Times'', 17 October 1939.

Member of Parliament

In July 1938, Robertson was chosen as

Conservative Party The Conservative Party is a name used by many political parties around the world. These political parties are generally right-wing though their exact ideologies can range from center-right to far-right. Political parties called The Conservative P ...

candidate for

Streatham Streatham ( ) is a district in south London, England. Centred south of Charing Cross, it lies mostly within the London Borough of Lambeth, with some parts extending into the neighbouring London Borough of Wandsworth. Streatham was in Surrey ...

, a predominantly middle-class area of London where the sitting

Member of Parliament A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members of ...

(MP) Sir

William Lane-Mitchell Sir William Lane-Mitchell (born Mitchell; 24 January 1861 – 20 June 1940) was a Scottish Conservative Party politician and businessman in London. He was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Streatham in 1918, and held the seat until hi ...

was retiring."Conservative candidate for Streatham", ''The Times'', 15 July 1938. In the event, the postponement of the general election due to the outbreak of war led Lane-Mitchell to resign by being appointed

Steward of the Manor of Northstead The office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead functions as a procedural device to allow a member of Parliament (MP) to resign from the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. As members of the House of Commons are forbidden ...

in November 1939. Robertson was returned unopposed at the ensuing by-election on 7 December 1939. Robertson's

maiden speech A maiden speech is the first speech given by a newly elected or appointed member of a legislature or parliament. Traditions surrounding maiden speeches vary from country to country. In many Westminster system governments, there is a convention th ...

, on his frozen fish plan, was well received.For a report, see "Parliament", ''The Times'', 9 February 1940. On 26 June, Robertson used a debate in the House of Commons to raise the issue of facilities for troops at London's mainline train stations. He complained that most had no facilities at all for troops to wash and sleep, and the facility at

Liverpool Street station Liverpool Street station, also known as London Liverpool Street, is a central London railway terminus and connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, in the ward of Bishopsgate Without. It is the t ...

run by the

YMCA YMCA, sometimes regionally called the Y, is a worldwide youth organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It was founded on 6 June 1844 by George Williams in London, originally ...

was like the "

Black Hole of Calcutta The Black Hole of Calcutta was a dungeon in Fort William, Calcutta, measuring , in which troops of Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, held British prisoners of war on the night of 20 June 1756. John Zephaniah Holwell, one of the British p ...

"."Parliament", ''The Times'', 27 June 1940. Robertson's debate produced an immediate move to improve conditions."Waiting Troops at Stations", ''The Times'', 28 June 1940.

Dual constituency role

In 1941, Robertson volunteered to take an additional role looking after the interests of the constituency of Peebles and Southern Midlothian, whose Member of Parliament

Archibald Maule Ramsay Archibald is a masculine given name, composed of the Germanic elements '' erchan'' (with an original meaning of "genuine" or "precious") and ''bald'' meaning "bold". Medieval forms include Old High German and Anglo-Saxon . Erkanbald, bishop o ...

had been detained under

Defence Regulation 18b Defence Regulation 18B, often referred to as simply 18B, was one of the Defence Regulations used by the British Government during and before the Second World War. The complete name for the rule was Regulation 18B of the Defence (General) Regulati ...

. However, Robertson found that the expense of representing two constituencies was too much because he was unable to charge his expenses in respect of Peebles against income tax, and he gave up the role in October 1942.Richard Griffiths, "Patriotism Perverted" (Constable, 1998), p. 282.

Housing campaign

Later in the war, Robertson pressed for faster repair of bomb-damaged housing in London, and called for the appointment of a "restless dynamic driver" such as

Lord Beaverbrook William Maxwell Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (25 May 1879 – 9 June 1964), generally known as Lord Beaverbrook, was a Canadian-British newspaper publisher and backstage politician who was an influential figure in British media and politics o ...

, rather than the lawyer (Sir

Malcolm Eve Arthur Malcolm Trustram Eve, 1st Baron Silsoe (8 April 1894 – 3 December 1976), known as Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve, 1st Baronet, from 1943 to 1963, was a British barrister and First Church Estates Commissioner. Biography Eve was the son of Sir ...

) who had been appointed."Parliament", ''The Times'', 28 October 1944. He returned to the subject after the war, complaining in July 1946 that not one house in Streatham had been repaired."Parliament", ''The Times'', 31 July 1946. However, during the Parliament his main contributions to debate were on the subject of food and especially fishing. Robertson was awarded a

knighthood A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...

in 1945.

Caithness and Sutherland

At the 1950 general election, Robertson moved constituencies from Streatham to fight

, the northernmost part of mainland

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

. The constituency had a long Liberal tradition but the Conservatives had won the seat from Liberal leader

Sir Archibald Sinclair Archibald Henry Macdonald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso, (22 October 1890 – 15 June 1970), known as Sir Archibald Sinclair between 1912 and 1952, and often as Archie Sinclair, was a British politician and leader of the Liberal Party. Backgr ...

1945 1945 marked the end of World War II and the fall of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. It is also the only year in which nuclear weapons have been used in combat. Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. Januar ...

on a pledge by the candidate

Eric Gandar Dower Eric Leslie Gandar Dower (1894 – 4 October 1987) was a Scottish Unionist Party politician and businessman. Life He was educated at Brighton College, like his elder brother Leonard, and at Jesus College, Cambridge, and trained for the stage at ...

to seek re-election after the capitulation of Japan; as a result of breaking that promise (among other things), Gandar Dower had fallen out with his Unionist Association. Robertson faced a rematch against Sir Archibald Sinclair, who was

Lord Lieutenant A lord-lieutenant ( ) is the British monarch's personal representative in each lieutenancy area of the United Kingdom. Historically, each lieutenant was responsible for organising the county's militia. In 1871, the lieutenant's responsibility ...

. He objected that Sinclair was bringing the Lieutenancy into politics, although Sinclair pointed out that he had held the office since 1919 and had first been elected in 1922. Sinclair described Robertson's objections as "exceptionally silly pre-election stuff"."A Lord Lieutenant's Politics", ''The Times'', 30 January 1950. Robertson won his seat, but only by 269 votes; Sinclair accepted a

Viscount A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicial ...

cy rather than try to win the seat again, and Robertson had easy re-elections thereafter.

Highlands industries

Robertson campaigned for economic development of the Scottish Highlands, arguing that Caithness made

cement A cement is a binder, a chemical substance used for construction that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials to bind them together. Cement is seldom used on its own, but rather to bind sand and gravel ( aggregate) together. Cement mix ...

which came from the

Medway Medway is a unitary authority district and conurbation in Kent, South East England. It had a population of 278,016 in 2019. The unitary authority was formed in 1998 when Rochester-upon-Medway amalgamated with the Borough of Gillingham to for ...

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

."Parliament", ''The Times'', 26 April 1951. In 1953 he attempted to amend the budget to exempt from income tax the profits of trades by local communities, motivated by the people of

Thurso Thurso (pronounced ; sco, Thursa, gd, Inbhir Theòrsa ) is a town and former burgh on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland. Situated in the historical County of Caithness, it is the northernmost town on the island of Great ...

who had banded together to do work which was normally reserved to local government. He failed to persuade the Treasury."Parliament", ''The Times'', 24 June 1953. When the site of

Dounreay Dounreay (; gd, Dùnrath) is a small settlement and the site of two large nuclear establishments on the north coast of Caithness in the Highland area of Scotland. It is on the A836 road west of Thurso. The nuclear establishments were create ...

was chosen for a

nuclear power Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity. Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion reactions. Presently, the vast majority of electricity from nuclear power is produced b ...

establishment, Robertson welcomed the choice and hoped it would lead to repopulation of the highlands."Parliament", ''The Times'', 2 March 1954. He also attempted to stop the increase in charges for freight on rail, claiming that sheep could be brought from

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

cheaper than from his constituency."Parliament", ''The Times'', 18 March 1954. After the

Suez Crisis The Suez Crisis, or the Second Arab–Israeli war, also called the Tripartite Aggression ( ar, العدوان الثلاثي, Al-ʿUdwān aṯ-Ṯulāṯiyy) in the Arab world and the Sinai War in Israel,Also known as the Suez War or 1956 Wa ...

, Robertson went on a tour of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

defending the British policy."Challenge by a Disappointed Scot", ''The Times'', 6 February 1959. In 1957 he introduced a

Private Member's Bill A private member's bill is a bill (proposed law) introduced into a legislature by a legislator who is not acting on behalf of the executive branch. The designation "private member's bill" is used in most Westminster system jurisdictions, in whi ...

, the North of Scotland Development Corporation Bill, which was aimed at setting up a group to attract new industries to his constituency and around. The Government talked the Bill out."Parliament", ''The Times'', 16 March 1957.

Dissatisfaction with party

Robertson was increasingly more interested in his own constituency than in party politics. In July 1957, while debating Highlands roads in the

Scottish Grand Committee The Scottish Grand Committee is a committee of the House of Commons. It is not a select committee (see Scottish Affairs Select Committee), but rather a grand committee composed of all 59 Scottish MPs (72 MPs prior to 2005). It has its origins ...

, he declared that unless the problem was dealt with, "I can assure this Committee that I will have the greatest difficulty remaining in this party"; he also described the Minister

John Maclay John Scott Maclay, 1st Viscount Muirshiel, (26 October 1905 – 17 August 1992) was a British politician, sitting as a National Liberal and Conservative Member of Parliament before the party was fully assimilated into the Unionist Party in Sco ...

as "a Treasury lackey and a mouthpiece for officialdom"."M.P. calls Minister 'A Treasury Lackey'", ''The Times'', 3 July 1957. In January 1959, he seconded an amendment moved by Labour MP

Tom Fraser Thomas Fraser (18 February 1911 – 21 November 1988) was Scottish coal miner and trade unionist, who was a Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for the Hamilton constituency between 1943 and 1967. Life He was the son of Thomas and Mary Fra ...

to continue marginal agricultural production grants, but again found Maclay unwilling to help."Parliament", ''The Times'', 22 January 1959. This was the last straw and a week later Robertson resigned the

whip A whip is a tool or weapon designed to strike humans or other animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain. They can also be used without inflicting pain, for audiovisual cues, such as in equestrianism. They are generally e ...

in protest at the Government's handling of Scottish affairs, declaring he would sit as an

Independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

Member of Parliament. He stated he continued to support the Conservative position on foreign affairs."Sir D. Robertson Resigns Whip", ''The Times'', 31 January 1959.

Police brutality

In his first month as an Independent MP, Robertson obtained the signatures of 150 other MPs in support of a motion for an inquiry into the case of a 15-year-old boy who had been assaulted by police in Thurso; the Cabinet debated the issue "Cabinet Discuss Thurso Boy", ''The Times'', 14 February 1959. and decided to set up their own inquiry."Tribunal For Thurso Boy", ''The Times'', 17 February 1959. Robertson faced some local disquiet over the cost."Waters Case M.P. Replies", ''The Times'', 1 June 1959.

Independent member

At the 1959 general election, Robertson fought Caithness and Sutherland as an Independent Unionist. Knowing of his local popularity, he was not opposed by an official candidate,"Conservatives Not Likely To Oppose Sir D. Robertson", ''The Times'', 10 September 1959. and won his biggest majority at the election. He began the new Parliament by turning 70, and decided that it would be his last. In March 1962 he protested to the Prime Minister

Harold Macmillan Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, (10 February 1894 – 29 December 1986) was a British Conservative statesman and politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1963. Caricatured as "Supermac", he ...

that as an Independent MP he had not been nominated to serve on any Select Committees, because the selection was done according to the party proportion of the House."An Independent member's claim to service", ''The Times'', 7 March 1962. He was particularly anxious to serve on the Sea Fish Industry Bill, on which he had immense experience, and other MPs of all parties campaigned for him to be put on the committee."M.P.s Raise Plight of Sir D. Robertson", ''The Times'', 7 March 1962. The Government conceded the point in relation to future committees."Sir D. Robertson Scores a Point", ''The Times'', 9 March 1962.

Retirement

In May 1963, Robertson was given the Freedom of Thurso."Thurso Freedom for M.P.", ''The Times'', 27 May 1963. Although he did not fight the 1964 general election, his supporters did nominate another Independent candidate, John Young, and Robertson gave Young his support. The official Unionist, Hon. Patrick Maitland, accused Robertson's supporters of spreading defamatory rumours about him."Candidate's Threat To Sue", ''The Times'', 25 September 1964. Young had been one of four members of the

Unionist Party who resigned in December 1963. Their letter of resignation was read at a meeting which unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Maitland, and their departure was described as a "welcome relief" by the chairman of the Thurso Unionists. The division in Unionist ranks led to a Liberal gain.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, David 1890 births 1970 deaths Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders officers British Army personnel of World War I Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies Independent members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Highland constituencies Scottish accountants Unionist Party (Scotland) MPs UK MPs 1935–1945 UK MPs 1945–1950 UK MPs 1950–1951 UK MPs 1951–1955 UK MPs 1955–1959 UK MPs 1959–1964 People educated at Allan Glen's School Alumni of the University of Glasgow Politicians from Glasgow 20th-century Scottish businesspeople