Dennis Robertson (politician) explained

Dennis Robertson
Constituency Mp:Aberdeenshire West
Parliament:Scottish
Majority:4,112 (14.2%)
Term Start:5 May 2011
Term End:24 March 2016
Predecessor:new constituency
Successor:Alexander Burnett
Birth Date:14 August 1956[1]
Party:Scottish National Party
Spouse:Anne

Dennis Robertson (born 14 August 1956) is a Scottish politician, and formerly a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Aberdeenshire West constituency 2011–2016. He is a member of the Scottish National Party. He is the first blind MSP to be elected to the Scottish Parliament.[2]

Education and early career

Robertson was educated at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh (1968–1974), then studied social work at Langside College (1981–1983). He worked as a social worker in Greenock from 1979. In 1989 he joined the Guide Dogs for the Blind association based in Forfar, before joining North East Sensory Services in 2005.

Political career

He was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011,[3] after defeating the Liberal Democrat incumbent, Mike Rumbles, by a majority of 4,112 votes. In 2013 he was involved wit ha consultation looking at legislating to crack down on the fraudulent use of blue disabled badges.[4]

He stood again in 2016 but was unseated by Alexander Burnett.

He then stood for local government in 2017.[5] He was elected to Aberdeenshire Council for the Stonehaven and lower Deeside ward.[6]

Personal life

Robertson has been registered as blind since he was 11. Married to Anne, the couple had two daughters. Their daughter Caroline died in February 2011, from complications arising from anorexia,[7] after Robertson had started election campaigning.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Personal Information – MSPs : Scottish Parliament . Scottish.parliament.uk . 1956-08-14 . 2012-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121101010545/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/currentmsps/28440.aspx . 1 November 2012 . dead .
  2. Web site: Home | News | STV . News . 2012-11-17 . https://archive.today/20120712090224/http://news.stv.tv/election-2011/247468-first-blind-msp-elected-to-holyrood/ . 12 July 2012 . dead .
  3. News: Brocklehurst . Steven . Scottish election: As it happened . BBC News . 2011-05-05 . 2012-11-17.
  4. News: MSP Robertson consults on blue badge misuse law . BBC News. 22 January 2013 . 11 October 2020.
  5. News: Ex-MSP Dennis Robertson is making council comeback with new guide Murphy . Kirsteen . Paterson . . 4 March 2017 . 11 October 2020.
  6. Web site: Committee member details: Councillor Dennis Robertson . aberdeenshire.gov.uk . October 2015 . . 11 October 2020.
  7. Web site: BBC News – 'My anorexic daughter is now at peace' . Bbc.co.uk . 2012-02-22 . 2012-11-17.
  8. Web site: BBC News – MSP whose daughter died of eating disorder leads debate . Bbc.co.uk . 2012-02-22 . 2012-11-17.