Sir Robert was first elected MEP for the North West region in 1999. He was Deputy Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament until November 2007. He was Conservative Spokesman on Industry and External Trade from 2001-2004, and was Spokesman on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism from 1999-2001. He is a member of the Transport & Tourism Committee and a substitute member of the Environment, Publich health & Food Safety Committee.

Sir Robert was MP for Preston North and South Ribble from 1979-97 and during that time served as DTI Minister (1987-89), Minister of Transport (1989-90), Minister of Sport (1990-92), Minister of State, Northern Ireland (1992-94) and Minister of State for Environment and Countryside (1994-95). He became a Privy-Counsellor in 1995. and was knighted in 1997.