Angus Robertson has been the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture from 2021-26 — with responsibility for Scotland's international office network and international strategy. He was Scotland's lead minister for relations with the diplomatic community and international organisations, including the European Union and United Nations.
He served for 21 years in the British House of Commons and Scottish Parliament and is one of the most experienced UK decision-makers in foreign affairs, international development, defence and security. He holds the record as the most successful political campaign director in the UK.
Prior to public office Angus Robertson worked for nearly a decade in Vienna as correspondent for the BBC and other leading broadcasters, and as news editor for the Austrian Broadcasting Correspondent (ORF).
Politics
Politics
Prime Ministers Questions
As leader of the 3rd largest party in House of Commons Angus Robertson questioned the Prime Minister every week.
Award Winning
Angus Robertson was recognised twice as Scottish Politician of the Year at Westminster. Here together with then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Scottish Government
Angus Robertson served as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture under three First Ministers, most recently John Swinney.
European Events
Angus Robertson is regularly invited to take part in European events, speaking in English, or German as here at the Ludwig Erhard Summit in Bavaria.
Scotland International
Responsible for Scotland's international strategy, global network of office and international development.
Scottish Parliament
Addressing conferences at the Scottish Parliament.
Front Bench
Delivering Scottish Government portfolio work in Parliament.
Sir Sean Connery
With James Bond star Sir Sean Connery.
External Affairs
External Affairs
Angus Robertson has been the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture from 2021-26 — with responsibility for Scotland's international office network and international strategy. He was Scotland's lead minister for relationships with the diplomatic community and international organisations, including the European Union.
Scotland's international network
Meeting heads of Scottish Government and Scottish Trade International global offices
Regular meetings with the Consular Corps in Scotland
Regular meetings with London embassies, here with ambassadors from Nordic and Baltic states.
Meeting with European Union decision-makers like David McAllister MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament
International Organisations
International Organisations
Maintaining relations with international organisations included the United Nations and its agencies.
Attending COP 26 conference in Glasgow, Scotland
Angus Robertson speaking at Paris HQ of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Visiting the Vienna International Centre, home to UNOV, UNIDO, IAEA and CTBTO
Meeting in Vienna with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Meeting in Vienna with United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Representing Scotland — the world's most northerly non-Arctic nation — at the Arctic Circle Assembly.
Culture
Culture
Promoting Scotland's Culture, Arts and Heritage has been a key part of Angus Robertson's portfolio of responsibilities. He delivered foundational change with the introduction of multi-year funding for cultural organisations, venues and festivals with the biggest ever increase in culture funding outside Covid support.
The Scottish Government's commitment to £100m additional annual culture spending is on course for delivery in full.
With the support of Screen Scotland the film and TV sector is set to become a £1bn annual industry, and Scotland is the first country in the world to introduce screen studies in primary and secondary schools.
The Edinburgh International Festival and other festivals across Scotland have secured significant extra financial support
Image of media coverage
Angus Robertson and Scottish film and TV star Brian Cox at the Edinburgh International Television Festival
Austria
Austria
Prior to public office Angus Robertson worked for nearly a decade in Vienna as radio and television correspondent for the BBC and other leading broadcasters, and as news editor for the Austrian Broadcasting Correspondent (ORF).
During his time in Vienna Angus covered developments in Austria and across Central Europe including the war in the former Yugoslavia. He also reported on events at the international organisations headquartered in Vienna like the UN Human Rights Conference.
Filming in Austria for BBC TV series 'Correspondent'
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Angus Robertson at the Vienna International Center.
Lecturing at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna
Supporting the leadership team of Alpbach Forum, the 'Davos of ideas'.
Advising the Arnold Schwarzenegger World Environmental Summit
At Summit with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and UK Ambassador Lindsay Skoll.
Meeting with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg
Angus Robertson was presented with Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Austrian Republic by Interior Minister
Vienna Book
Vienna Book
Angus Robertson is author of 'Vienna - The International Capital' which narrates the diplomatic history of the Austrian capital, including the international organisations headquartered in the city.
The book which has been published in the UK, United States and Hungary has been critically acclaimed by the Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, Arnold Schwarzenegger and was made required reading for senior Austrian diplomats by Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
Vienna book launches took place at Edinburgh University, Austrian Embassy London and the Diplomatic Academy Vienna.
The three editions published so far: UK, USA, Hungary.
The US edition of the book 'The Crossroads of Civilization — A History of Vienna' was on the recommended reading list of Austrian President Van der Bellen.
Quote from The Arnold.
Recommended reading for senior diplomats by Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs.
Reviews
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen:
"A pleasure to read and a journey of discovery even for those who know this city well".
Vienna Mayor and Governor Michael Ludwig:
"Vienna's global standing in history, culture and ground breaking social policy is wonderfully captured in this book".
Katya Adler, BBC Europe Editor:
'At the heart of Europe" is how the Viennese describe their city geographically. Thanks to Angus Robertson they now have a rollicking historical tribute to Vienna's pivotal role through the ages as an international city - from Roman times to the modern day, via the Habsburgs and Hitler. Clearly smitten with his adopted city, Robertson carefully selects colourful contemporary accounts to bring the past to life, while importantly not shying away from Vienna's darker moments'.
Simon Sebag Montefiore, bestselling historian and presenter of 'Vienna Empire Dynasty, Dream':
Enjoyable cosmopolitan and exuberant celebration of Vienna'.
Hella Pick, celebrated author and former Guardian foreign correspondent:
'Angus Robertson with his intimate knowledge of the city has brilliantly chronicled Vienna's history through the centuries and illustrated it with innumerable vignettes from contemporary observers. He has succeeded in painting a thoroughly enjoyable portrait of a great international capital'
Allan Little, Director Edinburgh Book Festival and former BBC Special Correspondent:
'Tremendously good book, with tremendous narrative energy which powers the story forward on every page. It's beautifully written. I thought I knew about this region of Europe having worked there for many, many years. I learnt something on every page. I think it is a very, very serious achievement and congratulations, I cannot praise it too highly'.
Ambassador Emil Brix, Director of Vienna Diplomatic Academy:
'Hopefully you will all read the book by Angus Robertson…this is a really serious book about Vienna'.
Michael Zimmerman, Austrian Ambassador to UK:
'Vienna: The International Capital - To my knowledge it's the first and only book on that topic. Angus Robertson did fantastic research ... I think there is no peer for this book'
Financial Times:
'a useful historical introduction to Vienna, with a focus on high politics'.
European Literature Network:
'compelling and quite staggering detail'
Metropole Magazine, Vienna
'Robertson's enthusiasm for his subject carries across in the breadth of accounts and the fine detail throughout. An impressive work of research, the book is a comprehensive history that in its best moments, manages to find fresh nuance in an already storied city'
