Advocate for mental wellbeing

ROBERT Lindsay, the 29th Earl of Crawford and the 12th Earl of Balcarres, made several significant contributions to politics and public life as a compassionate Tory MP who campaigned extensively on health issues.

Lord Balniel, as he was known between 1940 and 1975, became Hertford’s MP in 1955 under Anthony Eden’s newly-elected government. Re-elected four times, his seat was abolished in 1974 following boundary changes. He initially won the newly-created district of Welwyn Hatfield but lost it in the general election that October.

Crawford was promoted to defence and foreign office minister in Edward Heath’s government. A principled man, he was diligent in his work and was known to eschew gifts from foreign rulers.