Sydney Walter Robinson

Sir Sydney Walter John Robinson JP (27 May 1876 – 17 November 1950) was an English farmer, building contractor and Liberal politician.

Family and education Sydney Robinson was born in 1876 in Royston, Hertfordshire,

Career Robinson had business interests as a building contractor and was also a farmer with land near to Chelmsford. His speciality and success was in the breeding of pedigree shorthorn dairy cows but this as much for agricultural shows as for profit.

Politics Local Politics In local politics, Robinson was a member of Essex County Council for 30 years and was an Alderman of the council. He chaired the Public Health Committee. He served as a Vice-President of the Home Counties Liberal Federation.

Parliamentary politics 1918–1923 Robinson stood for Parliament eight times in all. He first contested Essex South East at the 1918 general election but lost his deposit in a three-cornered fight with the successful Coalition Conservative and Labour Party candidates. He next contested Chelmsford in Essex at the 1922 general election coming second to the Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency since 1908, E. G. Pretyman, with Labour in third. He fought Chelmsford again in 1923 this time in a straight fight with Pretyman. The absence of a Labour candidate and recent industrial developments around Chelmsford enhanced Robinson's chances of success and he duly recorded the only success of his Parliamentary career, winning with a majority of 2,692 votes. This was the first time since its creation for the 1885 general election that Chelmsford had returned a Liberal MP. His resignation caused a by-election and Robinson again won the Liberal nomination. However, in another three-cornered fight he again came second to the Conservative candidate. and at the general election of 1931 Robinson switched his candidacy to the constituency of Walthamstow West. In an election held in the atmosphere of the formation of the National Government, despite the fact that his name was added to the Simonite Liberal National list, and in spite of his statements during the election that he was an 'out and out supporter' of the National Government, it was the Conservative rather than Robinson whose candidacy was identified as the most obvious advocate of the government of Ramsay MacDonald. Robinson found his vote squeezed between the Labour and Conservative parties. Labour retained the seat but the Tories jumped into second place over the Liberals. Robinson did not contest the 1935 general election but was prevailed upon to fight in 1945. He switched constituencies to Epping but, standing as a Liberal, he came a poor third behind the two main parties.

Death Robinson died on 17 November 1950 aged 74 years at his home at The Drive, Snaresbrook in Essex. He and his wife are buried in Queen's Road Cemetery, Walthamstow.