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Sir Robert Inigo Tasker,TD,DL,JP (20 October 1868 – 28 February 1959) was a Britisharchitect andConservative politician.[1]
Robert was the son of George Tasker, and following education atArdingly College he joined his father's architectural practice in 1892. He became senior partner in the firm in 1916.[1] He was a member of the Institute of Registered Architects and was on the council of the Architects Registration Council of the United Kingdom.[1] He also served as President for theIncorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors from 1928-1930.
Tasker held a commission in theBritish ArmyVolunteer andTerritorial Forces between 1900 and 1920. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the21st Middlesex Rifle Volunteers in 1900.[2] In 1908 the unit became the 11th Battalion of theLondon Regiment (Finsbury Rifles). Following the outbreak ofwar, he reached the rank of major in 1916.[1][3]
He was elected to theLondon County Council in March 1910, representingHolborn as a member of the majorityMunicipal Reform Party, which was allied to the parliamentaryConservative Party.[4] He resigned his seat in October 1914 when he entered active military service, returning to the council at the 1922 election.[5] He remained a member of the council until 1937 and served aschairman between 1930 and 1931.[6] He was knighted in 1931 at the end of his term of office.[1][7] In October 1935 he was granted thefreedom of theMetropolitan Borough of Holborn.[8] He was also a member of threelivery companies of theCity of London: thePaviors,Fan Makers andGardeners.[1]
Tasker was an unsuccessful Conservative candidate at the1923 general election, when he failed to be elected atBethnal Green North East.[9] Anotherelection was held in 1924, and Tasker stood again, this time atIslington East.[10] In a three-cornered contest, Tasker defeated the sittingLiberalMember of Parliament (MP),Arthur Comyns Carr.[11][12] Five years later he was defeated when a swing toLabour sawEthel Bentham, one of his opponents in 1924, take the seat.
In 1935 he was selected as Conservative candidate for theHolborn constituency.[13] Duly elected, Tasker was on the right wing of the Conservative Party, and frequently found himself at odds with the wartimeNational Government.[1]
The life of the parliament elected in 1935 was extended to ten years due to theSecond World War. Tasker had been confirmed as parliamentary candidate by Holborn Conservative Association in October 1944. However, in February 1945Max Aitken was adopted as candidate for theupcoming general election. Tasker described the situation as "quite irregular" as he had had no intention of withdrawing his candidature. However he did not contest the election, effectively retiring from politics.[14]
Sir Robert Tasker died, aged 90, on 28 February 1959. His funeral was held at Hawkinge Crematorium,Folkestone on 6 March.[15]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forIslington East 1924–1929 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forHolborn 1935–1945 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chairman of the London County Council 1930 – 1931 | Succeeded by |