Bob Blackman was first elected as the Conservative MP for Harrow East in 2010, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 8,178
The constituency of Harrow East is found on outer north western ring of Greater London, and includes the communities of Stanmore, Kenton, Harrow Weald, and the Canons Park, all at the outer reaches of the London underground network. An ethnically diverse constituency, a third of the electorate are said to be of Indian descent, and the constituency also contains a notable Muslim, and Buddhist community. There is a also a student population from the University of Westminster campus. Harrow East has moved more to the Conservatives than many of the neighbouring areas in recent years, but is still a marginal seat having been held by Labour between 1997 and 2010.
Born in 1956, Blackman was Head Boy at the nearby Preston Manor High School, and attended Liverpool University where he was President of Liverpool University Students Union.
Bob Blackman was then employed by BT in various sales and management positions, and later became a sales tutor at the BT Training College. Prior to joining BT, he also worked in sales for Unisys.
Blackman was the Greater London Assembly member for Brent & Harrow between 2004 and 2008. Prior to that he was also a Councillor in Brent and Leader of the Conservative Group. He served as Leader of Brent Council from 1991-96.
Blackman supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum on EU membership.
Blackman was opposed to Same Sex Marriage, and in 2019 was one of two dozen MPs to to vote against inclusive LGBT sex and relationship education in schools.
Bob Blackman is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Sri Lankan Muslim Organisations; Equitable Life Policyholders; India; Holocaust Memorial; Homelessness; Indian Traditional Sciences; and Azerbaijan.
He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Dark Skies; Foreign Affairs; Heathrow Expansion; Housing and Social Mobility; Internet, Communications, and Technology; the Night Time Economy; Tamils; Bangladesh; Thalassaemia; and Vulnerable Groups to Pandemics.
Bob Blackman is married and employs his wife, Nicola Blackman, as Office Manager. He lists his interests as including both rock music, as well as bridge and chess.
Email: bob.blackman.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: www.bobblackmanmp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobBlackmanMP
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bobblackmanmp
