Quick Facts
Biography
Richard Patrick Tracey JP (born 8 February 1943) is a former British Conservative politician, and former journalist, presenter, and reporter. He was the MP for Surbiton from 1983 to 1997, and was Minister for Sport between 1985 and 1987. From 2008 to 2016 when he retired he was a Member of the London Assembly, where he represented Merton and Wandsworth. He was the Deputy Leader of the Conservative group.
Early life
Tracey was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford-upon-Avon and studied law at the University of Birmingham, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) degree.
Early career
From 1964 to 1966, Tracey was a leader writer at the Daily Express. From 1966 to 1978, he worked as a presenter and reporter for the BBC, involved in TV and radio current affairs programmes. He was a public affairs consultant between 1978 and 1983, and between 1997 and 2008. He is the author of 'World of Motor Sport' (with Richard Hudson-Evans) published in 1971 and 'Hickstead – The First Twelve Years' (with Michael Clayton) published in 1972.
Political career
Parliament
After unsuccessfully contesting Northampton North in October 1974, he became chairman of Putney Conservative Association, then Deputy Chairman of the Greater London Area of the Conservative Party. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Surbiton from 1983 until 1997 when the constituency was abolished. Always active speaking and questioning in the Commons Chamber, he served as Environment and Sports Minister from 1985 to 1987 and was a member of the Select Committee for Televising the House during 1987 - 1989 and of the Public Accounts Committee from 1993–97. He was Chairman of the London Conservative MPs Group from 1990 to 1997. At the 1997 General Election, he unsuccessfully contested Kingston and Surbiton. He is on the Executive Committee of the Association of Former Members of Parliament.
London Assembly
In 2008 Tracey was elected a Member of the London Assembly representing Merton and Wandsworth, and later became Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group. He was Vice-Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (2010–2012), and Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority (2008–10). In 2008, he was appointed Mayor's Ambassador for the River by Mayor Boris Johnson and was Chairman of the London Waste and Recycling Board.
He retired in 2016, and his Merton and Wandsworth seat was won by Labour's Leonie Cooper.
He is a Freeman of the City of London since 1984; a Freeman of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen; a Justice of the Peace; and a Fellow of the Industry and Parliament Trust since 1985.