Member of Parliament
In July 1938, Robertson was chosen as Conservative Party candidate for Streatham, a predominantly middle-class area of London where the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) Sir William Lane-Mitchell was retiring. 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 in November 1939. Robertson was returned unopposed at the ensuing by-election on 7 December 1939.
Robertson's maiden speech, on his frozen fish plan, was well received. 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 run by the YMCA was like the "Black Hole of Calcutta". Robertson's debate produced an immediate move to improve conditions.
Read more about this topic: David Robertson (UK Politician)
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