Robert Sheldon, Baron Sheldon

Robert Edward Sheldon, Baron Sheldon, PC (born Isaac Ezra Shamash; 13 September 1923 – 2 February 2020)[1] was a British Labour politician.

For other people named Robert Sheldon, see Robert Sheldon (disambiguation).

The Right Honourable

The Lord Sheldon

PC
Sheldon in Parliament, 2011
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
In office
1 July 1981 – 1 July 1983
LeaderMichael Foot
Neil Kinnock
Shadow ChancellorPeter Shore
Financial Secretary to the Treasury
In office
17 June 1975 – 4 May 1979
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterWilson, Callaghan
ChancellorHealey
Preceded byJohn Gilbert
Succeeded byNigel Lawson
Member of Parliament
for Ashton under Lyne
In office
15 October 1964 – 14 May 2001
Preceded byHervey Rhodes
Succeeded byDavid Heyes
Personal details
Born
Isaac Ezra Shamash

(1923-09-13)13 September 1923
Died2 February 2020(2020-02-02) (aged 96)
NationalityBritish
Political partyLabour
Spouse(s)Mary Sheldon (first wife was Eileen Shamash, deceased)
Children3
OccupationPolitician

Early life

Sheldon came from a family of Jewish immigrants from Iraq. His father was Meir Jack Shamash and his mother was Betty Shamash. He changed his name by deed poll in 1943.[2] He married his first cousin Eileen Shamash at the age of 21.[3] Sheldon was educated at Burnley Grammar School, technical colleges and the University of London.[4] He was a Manchester City Councillor and a director of a textile firm.

In 2000, he collapsed on the street and was revived by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by the former swimmer Duncan Goodhew who happened to be passing.[5]

Political career

Sheldon first stood for Parliament at Manchester Withington in 1959. Subsequently, he was elected Member of Parliament for Ashton under Lyne at the 1964 general election, serving until the 2001 general election,[6] at which he was replaced by David Heyes. He served on the Public Accounts Committee[6] 1965–66, holding the chairmanship 1983–1997.

He was also Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1975–1979. During his tenure as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, he was made a Privy Counsellor in 1977. He was created a life peer as Baron Sheldon, of Ashton-under-Lyne in the County of Greater Manchester on 22 June 2001.[7] He retired from the House of Lords on 18 May 2015.[8]

References
  1. Former Ashton MP Robert Sheldon Dies Aged 96
  2. "No. 36197". The London Gazette. 5 October 1943. p. 4422.
  3. "Robert Edward (Ezra) ("Bob") Sheldon (Living, Male) & Eileen Shamash". www.farhi.org. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  4. The almanac of British politics p. 25 full text at Google books
  5. "Famous Award Winners". Royal Humane Society. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  6. "Contributors in full". BBC News Online. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  7. "No. 56257". The London Gazette. 27 June 2001. p. 7571.
  8. "Retired members of the House of Lords".
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Hervey Rhodes		 Member of Parliament for Ashton under Lyne
1964–2001		 Succeeded by
David Heyes
Political offices
Preceded by
John Gilbert		 Financial Secretary to the Treasury
1975–1979		 Succeeded by
Nigel Lawson


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