Robert Spink
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Dr Bob Spink |
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|---|---|
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Member of Parliament for Castle Point |
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In office 8 June 2001 – 12 April 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Christine Butler |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca Harris |
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In office 10 April 1992 – 4 April 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Bernard Braine |
| Succeeded by | Christine Butler |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1 August 1948 Haworth, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Other political affiliations |
Conservative (until 2008) UKIP (2008, 2014- ) |
| Spouse(s) | Janet Barham (divorced) |
| Alma mater | Victoria University of Manchester, Cranfield University |
| Profession | Member of Parliament |
| Website | Bob Spink MP |
Robert Michael Spink (born 1 August 1948, Haworth, Worth Valley, Yorkshire) is a politician in the United Kingdom who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Castle Point in Essex for two periods between 1992 and 2010.
Spink was elected as the Conservative Party MP for Castle Point in 1992, lost his seat in 1997, but regained it in 2001. Having resigned the Conservative whip in March 2008, in April 2008 he defected to the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), becoming that party's first MP. In November 2008 he was redesignated as an Independent, on the grounds that UKIP had no 'whip'. Spink lost his seat in the 2010 election to the Conservative candidate, Rebecca Harris.
He subsequently rejoined UKIP and in 2017 was charged with electoral fraud.
He was educated at Holycroft Secondary Modern School (now a primary school) on Victoria Road in Keighley and Southall Technical College. At the University of Manchester, he gained an BSc Hons (1st) in 1972. At Cranfield University, he gained an MSc in Industrial Engineering and Administration in 1975 and PhD in Economics and Management in 1988.
He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1964, and until 1966 did his Basic Training at RAF Cosford and RAF Uxbridge, being invalided. He was an engineer for EMI Electronics Ltd from 1966-77 in Hayes and gained an Ordinary National Certificate (ONC) from Southall Technical College in 1969 when on day-release, then became an Industrial Management Consultant in 1977 for Harold Whitehead and Partners. From 1980-4, he was Director of Seafarer Navigation International Ltd (eventually bought by Standard Communications) in Bournemouth, and from 1989–93, he was a non-executive Director of Bournemouth International Airport. From 1984-93, he was a Management Consultant. From 1997 to 2001, he worked for Harold Whitehead in Windsor. He was a county councillor in Dorset from 1985-92.
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