Bob Blackman
Conservative · Harrow East
FULL PROFILEBob Blackman is the Conservative MP for Harrow East, first elected in 2010. He is 69 years old. As an opposition MP, they are expected to vote against the government on most whipped divisions.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Healthcare and hospital services · Immigration and asylum policy · India-UK relations · Religious freedom and minority rights · Smoking cessation and public health
Positions
Immigration — Supports stricter controls and deportation of foreign criminals
strong
Healthcare — Advocates for new hospital facilities and free parking
strong
India-UK relations — Strong supporter of closer trade and diplomatic ties
strong
Abortion — Opposes easier access to abortion services
moderate
COVID restrictions — Opposed to lockdown measures and vaccine mandates
strong
Religious freedom — Advocates for protection of religious minorities globally
moderate
Smoking policy — Supports tobacco levy and smokefree 2030 target
moderate
Housing standards — Supports improved building standards and supported housing regulation
weak
Notable Rebellions
2021-12-14 — Voted against multiple COVID restrictions including face covering requirements and venue entry rules, reflecting opposition to lockdown measures
2024-01-16 — Voted for amendments to strengthen the Rwanda asylum policy, showing desire for even tougher immigration measures than government proposed
2021-04-28 — Voted against government position on fire safety measures, likely supporting stronger protections for leaseholders
Reasoning Style
Constituency-focused and pragmatic, combining strong ideological positions on immigration and sovereignty with practical advocacy for local healthcare needs and minority community concerns, particularly relating to Hindu and Indian diaspora issues.
Background
Before entering Parliament, Bob Blackman had a career in local government and business, bringing practical administrative experience to his role as MP.