Bob Blizzard, Waveney MP, 1997 to 2010

Bob was first elected to Parliament in May 1997. He was the first Labour MP to represent the area since 1959 and was re-elected as Waveney's MP in June 2001 and May 2005. Born in Suffolk, he went to Birmingham University and was a teacher for 25 years. In addition, he was the Leader of Waveney District Council from 1991 to 1997, having been first elected to the council in 1987.

Bob was most recently a Government Whip, with the title of ‘Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury’ since 2008. Among other posts, he has been an Assistant Whip (2007-2008), the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Douglas Alexander as the Secretary of State for Transport (2006-2007) and Minister for Europe (2005-2006). He was also the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Nick Brown as the Minister for Work at the Department of Work and Pensions (2001-2003), and to Baroness Hayman as the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1999-2001).

Bob was the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary British Offshore Oil and Gas Group (1997-2007), the All Party Parliamentary Renewable Transport Fuels Group (2007), the All Party Parliamentary British - Brazilian Group (1997-2007), the All Party Parliamentary British-Chilean Group (2005-1007) and the All Party Parliamentary British – Latin America Group (2004-2007); and the Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (2004-2007). He has also served on the Environmental Audit Select Committee.
 
Anticipating the growth of offshore wind energy, Bob established and led a steering group of key local partners to obtain £9 millon funding for the OrbisEnergy centre which has attracted leading energy companies to make Lowestoft the operational base for Greater Gabbard, the world's largest offshore wind farm currently under construction. There is now huge interest from companies involved in the East Anglian Array round three offshore wind farm on Lowestoft's doorstep.

Bob spoke at the Green in the City, Cleantech Economist event on 24 June on the topic of:

Funding 2020 Renewable Energy Targets - Where will it come from?

 

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