History of Robert Halfon in Timeline

Robert Halfon is a British Conservative Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Harlow from 2010 to 2024. As an MP, he was known for his focus on social justice and advocating for the interests of working-class families. His political career involved various roles within the Conservative Party, and he frequently contributed to debates on education, skills, and employment. Halfon's priorities included improving apprenticeships and vocational training, reducing the cost of living, and promoting a fairer society for all.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1922: Election to the Executive

In 2010, Robert Halfon was elected to the executive of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs.

1968: Grandfather Forced to Leave Libya

In 1968, Robert Halfon's paternal grandfather, Renato Halfon, was forced to leave Libya, where he had been working as an Italian Jewish clothing manufacturer.

March 1969: Robert Halfon Born in Westminster

On 22 March 1969, Robert Halfon was born in Westminster, London, and grew up in Hampstead.

March 1969: Robert Halfon's Birth

Robert Henry Halfon was born on 22 March 1969.

1991: European Court of Human Rights Application

In 1991, Robert Halfon took the issue of compulsory membership of the National Union of Students to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled his application as manifestly ill-founded.

2001: 2001 General Election

In the 2001 general election, Robert Halfon stood in Harlow, securing 34.8% of the vote, placing second behind Labour MP Bill Rammell.

2005: 2005 General Election

In the 2005 general election, Robert Halfon again stood in Harlow and came in second with 41.2% of the vote behind Bill Rammell.

June 2010: Maiden Speech in the House

On June 2, 2010, Robert Halfon delivered his maiden speech in the House of Commons.

July 2010: Launch of Friends of Israel Initiative

On 19 July 2010, Robert Halfon hosted the launch of the Friends of Israel Initiative at the House of Commons.

2010: MP for Harlow

In 2010, Robert Halfon became the Member of Parliament for Harlow.

2011: Campaign Against MEND

In 2011, Robert Halfon attempted to get Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) banned from the House of Commons.

2012: Publication of 'Stop the Union Bashing'

In 2012, Robert Halfon published a pamphlet called 'Stop the Union Bashing: Why Conservatives Should Embrace the Trade Union Movement' through the thinktank Demos.

2013: Advocacy for Lower Tax Rate on Low-Paid Workers

In 2013, Robert Halfon campaigned for reducing the tax rate on low-paid workers, suggesting the reintroduction of the 10p band of income tax or an increased National Insurance threshold as an alternative to the living wage.

2013: Petrol Promise Campaign and Award

In 2013, Robert Halfon presented a petition signed by 30,000 motorists calling for an inquiry into price-fixing at the Office of Fair Trading, and won The Spectator's Campaigner of the Year Award for his work fighting to keep petrol duty low.

2013: Campaign Against Privatised Utility Companies

In 2013, Robert Halfon published a study of water companies in East Anglia examining their profits and called for an inquiry, also advocating for a windfall tax on energy companies unnecessarily raising prices.

2013: Vote Against Same-Sex Marriage Act

In 2013, Robert Halfon voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act.

July 2014: Parliamentary Private Secretary

On 18 July 2014, Robert Halfon was chosen by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, to be his Parliamentary Private Secretary.

September 2014: Opening of Sir Charles Kao UTC

In September 2014, the Sir Charles Kao UTC, a new university technical college, opened in Harlow following Robert Halfon's campaign for its construction.

2014: Parliamentary Challenge Over Donation

In 2014, Robert Halfon faced a challenge in Parliament regarding money donated to his constituency office by Robert Shetler-Jones, a close associate of Ukrainian magnate Dmitry Firtash, amid bribery allegations. Halfon stated he had fully declared the donation.

2014: Affair Ended

In 2014, Robert Halfon's affair with Alexandra Paterson, the then-chair of Conservative Future, ended.

May 2015: Minister without Portfolio and Deputy Chairman

Between May 2015 and July 2016, Robert Halfon served as Minister without Portfolio and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party.

May 2015: Appointment to Cabinet

In May 2015, Robert Halfon joined Prime Minister David Cameron's Cabinet as Minister without portfolio and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party.

2015: Admission of Affair and Blackmail Allegations

In 2015, Robert Halfon admitted to having an affair with Alexandra Paterson from 2010 to 2014 and alleged blackmail attempts by Mark Clarke. He was also criticized for expenses claims to meet Paterson.

2015: Re-election as MP for Harlow

In 2015, Robert Halfon was re-elected as MP for Harlow, increasing his vote share to 48.9% and securing a majority of 8,350.

July 2016: Minister of State at the Department for Education

From July 2016, Robert Halfon served as Minister of State at the Department for Education.

July 2016: Minister of State for Skills

In July 2016, Robert Halfon began serving as Minister of State for Skills at the Department for Education in Prime Minister Theresa May's government.

2016: Brexit Referendum and Subsequent Stance

In 2016, Robert Halfon voted to remain in the EU during the Brexit referendum but later stated he would support leaving in a second referendum, citing disillusionment with the establishment's handling of the democratic result. He later voted to trigger Article 50 and for Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.

2016: Bouncy Castle Fatality in Harlow

In 2016, a seven-year-old girl died in Robert Halfon's constituency of Harlow after a bouncy castle broke free from its moorings.

June 2017: Departure as Minister of State for Skills

In June 2017, Robert Halfon left his position as Minister of State for Skills at the Department for Education.

June 2017: Dismissal as Minister of State

On 12 June 2017, Robert Halfon was dismissed from his role as Minister of State by Prime Minister Theresa May.

July 2017: Chair of Education Select Committee

In July 2017, Robert Halfon became the Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee.

2017: Re-elected in 2017 General Election

In the 2017 snap general election, Robert Halfon was re-elected with 54% of the vote, although his majority decreased to 7,031.

July 2018: Call for Bouncy Castle Regulation

In July 2018, Robert Halfon called for an "urgent investigation" into the regulation of bouncy castles following the deaths of two children. He suggested a temporary ban in public areas until safety could be assured.

2019: Apology and Support for Same-Sex Marriage

In 2019, Robert Halfon apologized for his previous vote against same-sex marriage and voiced his support for equal marriage.

2019: Re-election in 2019 General Election

In the 2019 general election, Robert Halfon was re-elected with an increased vote share of 63.5% and a majority of 14,063.

January 2020: Use of Welsh in Parliament

In January 2020, Robert Halfon spoke a small amount of Welsh in response to a Parliamentary question regarding bilingual government services in Wales.

April 2020: Dispute with Board of Deputies of British Jews

In April 2020, Robert Halfon accused the Board of Deputies of British Jews of having a "left-of-centre political agenda", leading to a public disagreement and accusations of spreading false information.

October 2020: Free School Meals Vote

In October 2020, Robert Halfon was one of five Conservative MPs who broke the whip to vote for a Labour opposition day motion to extend free school meals during school holidays until Easter 2021.

November 2021: Ten Minute Rule Bill on School Closures

In November 2021, Robert Halfon introduced a new Ten Minute Rule Bill to prevent future school closures, proposing to reclassify schools as essential infrastructure.

2021: Free School Meals Vote

In October 2020, Robert Halfon was one of five Conservative MPs who broke the whip to vote for a Labour opposition day motion to extend free school meals during school holidays until Easter 2021.