Robin is a member of the House of Lords and was formerly a member of the European Parliament (MEP).

In the House he speaks on climate, energy and environmental matters having been a front bench spokesperson in those areas of policy. He has chaired a number of EU committees in the House, and sits on the UK EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.

Living in Cornwall he has particular interest in fisheries, oceans and the broad marine environment.  He has been a board member of the Marine Management Organisation, and chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership.  His original career was in the freight and logistics industry.