Robert Dixon-Smith, Baron Dixon-Smith
Encyclopedia
Robert William Dixon-Smith, Baron Dixon-Smith DL
, (born 30 September 1934) is a British
farmer, and Conservative Party
politician. Lord Dixon-Smith is a former Shadow Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government
.
, at the St. Johnsbury Academy
in Vermont
, and Writtle Agricultural College in Essex
. He served in the King's Dragoon Guards in the years 1956 and 1957, reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant
.
.
On 11 October 1993, he was created a life peer
as Baron Dixon-Smith, of Bocking in the County of Essex
. In December 1998 he was appointed the Conservatives' local government spokesman in the House of Lords
by party leader William Hague
.
In July 2008 he was forced to apologise to the chamber after using a racist phrase during a House of Lords debate.
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
, (born 30 September 1934) is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
farmer, and Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician. Lord Dixon-Smith is a former Shadow Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government
Department for Communities and Local Government
The Department for Communities and Local Government is the UK Government department for communities and local government in England. It was established in May 2006 and is the successor to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, established in 2001...
.
Early life
The son of Dixon and Alice Winifred Smith, Dixon-Smith was educated at Oundle SchoolOundle School
Oundle School is a co-educational British public school located in the ancient market town of Oundle in Northamptonshire. The school has been maintained by the Worshipful Company of Grocers of the City of London since its foundation in 1556. Oundle has eight boys' houses, five girls' houses, a day...
, at the St. Johnsbury Academy
St. Johnsbury Academy
St. Johnsbury Academy is an independent, private, coeducational, non-profit boarding and day school located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA, enrolling students in grades 9-12. It was founded in 1842 by Thaddeus Fairbanks, and accepts the majority of its students through one of the nation's oldest...
in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, and Writtle Agricultural College in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. He served in the King's Dragoon Guards in the years 1956 and 1957, reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
.
Political career
Dixon-Smith was elected to the Essex County Council in 1965, being vice chairman from 1983 to 1986, and chairman from 1986 to 1989. He was briefly Shadow Minister for EnvironmentShadow Secretary of State for Environment
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment was a position with the opposition's Shadow cabinet that deals with issues surrounding the environment if elected, the designated person is slated to become the new Secretary of State for the Environment...
.
On 11 October 1993, he was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron Dixon-Smith, of Bocking in the County of Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. In December 1998 he was appointed the Conservatives' local government spokesman in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
by party leader William Hague
William Hague
William Jefferson Hague is the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. He served as Leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to September 2001...
.
In July 2008 he was forced to apologise to the chamber after using a racist phrase during a House of Lords debate.