Robert Hayward
Robert Antony Hayward (Robert Antony Hayward, born 1949) is a former Conservative Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingswood from 1983 to 1992, when he lost his seat to Labour's Roger Berry. In 1993, Hayward was an unsuccessful candidate at the Christchurch by-election.
Hayward was educated at Abingdon School, Maidenhead Grammar School and the University of Rhodesia. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Young Conservatives in 1976-77 and was a councillor on Coventry City Council 1976-78.
Hayward received an OBE for his services to friends and families of hostages prior to the Gulf War in 1991 Iraq War, when he established and ran, with others, the Gulf Support Group for civilians who were held in Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. This service ran initially from Hayward's home then from offices in London. He remains the only serving MP ever to receive a civilian honour for services outside of politics.Template:Citation needed
He currently still lives in London and was formerly CEO of the Beer and Pub Association where he has stewarded through difficult legislation regarding opening hours and the smoking ban.
Hayward is currently a trustee of Central YMCA,[1] board member of Dignity in Dying[2] and adviser to the board of Terence Higgins Trust.
Hayward has been a prominent spokesmen on gay and lesbian issues since coming out after leaving parliament, and was one of the founding members of the Kings Cross Steelers who successfully competed as the first Gay Rugby Union team in the world. He is currently a Vice-President of the club. In 1997, he was interviewed on a Panorama edition about gay and lesbian issues as a member of the executive of the Stonewall organisation. In addition Hayward was also the finance chairman of Stonewall for 5 years.
Hayward stepped down as CEO of the Beer and Pub association in 2009 in order to concentrate on his career as a psephologist and political analyst. He is currently an advisor to the Chairman of the Tory Party (Eric Pickles MP) and was widely credited with identifying 'motorway man' as a key factor in 2010 general election.[3]
It was announced on 15 May 2012 that Robert Hayward would be chairing the government's Public Sector Equality Duty review.[4]
