Marianne Riccio

Written by Marianne Riccio

Published: 31 Aug 2024

20-facts-about-calvin-robinson
Source: Catholicherald.co.uk

Who is Calvin Robinson? Calvin Robinson is a British Old Catholic cleric, conservative political commentator, writer, and broadcaster. Born on October 29, 1985, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, he has a mixed-race heritage with Jamaican roots. His career spans technology, teaching, and journalism. Robinson's political journey includes running as a Conservative and Brexit Party candidate. Known for his strong conservative and evangelical beliefs, he has faced controversies, especially regarding his views on race, gender, and sexuality. Despite challenges, he remains a prominent voice in British conservative circles, advocating for traditional values through various media platforms.

Table of Contents

Early Life and Education

Calvin Robinson's journey began in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, where his diverse heritage and early education shaped his future.

  1. Birth and Early Life: Born on October 29, 1985, Calvin John Robinson hails from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. His mixed-race heritage includes paternal grandparents who emigrated from Jamaica as part of the Windrush generation.

  2. Education: Robinson's academic path started at High Oakham Primary School and The Brunts Academy. He later attended West Nottinghamshire College before earning a degree in computer games design and programming from the University of Westminster.

Career in Technology and Teaching

Before his foray into politics and media, Robinson built a solid foundation in technology and education.

  1. Career in Technology: Robinson initially worked in the tech industry. He later transitioned to teaching computer science at St Mary's and St John's Church of England School in Hendon, where he became the head of the IT department.

  2. Teaching and Journalism: Alongside teaching, Robinson was a video games journalist and owned the video games site God is a Geek.

Political Involvement

Robinson's political journey has seen him engage with various right-wing organizations and campaigns.

  1. School Governance: From 2019 to 2021, Robinson served as a school governor and trustee at the Michaela School in Wembley. He was also appointed to the education sub-committee of the Royal Academy of Dance but was later "cancelled" for opposing a drag queen storytelling session.

  2. Political Career: In 2016, Robinson contested the Kilburn ward of Brent Council as a Conservative Party candidate but lost to Labour. In 2018, he ran for Camden Council in the Swiss Cottage ward but was again defeated by Labour candidates.

  3. Brexit Support: During the 2019 general election, Robinson stood as the Brexit Party candidate for Broxtowe but withdrew to support the Conservative candidate.

  4. Right-Wing Organizations: He has held roles in right-wing groups like Defund the BBC, Unite2Leave, and Conservative Way Forward.

Media Career

Robinson's media presence has been significant, though not without controversy.

  1. Media Career: Robinson has contributed to outlets like The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Spiked, and First Things. He also worked as a commentator on talkRADIO and hosted a show on GB News until his dismissal in 2023.

  2. GB News Dismissal: In September 2023, Robinson was suspended from GB News after defending Laurence Fox, who had been suspended for misogynistic comments. His dismissal was confirmed on October 4, 2023.

  3. Common Sense Crusade: Post-GB News, Robinson moved his "Common Sense Crusade" show to The Lotus Eaters, where he frequently hosts their podcast.

Religious Affiliations and Beliefs

Robinson's religious journey has been as dynamic as his political and media careers.

  1. Church Affiliations: Robinson has been linked with several churches. He was a deacon in the Free Church of England from 2022 to 2023 and is now a priest in the Nordic Catholic Church, an Old Catholic denomination of high church Lutheran patrimony.

  2. Ordination Issues: Initially recommended for ordination in the Church of England, Robinson's conservative views on race led to the withdrawal of this recommendation. This experience convinced him that conservatives have no place in the Church of England.

  3. Free Church of England: After leaving the Church of England, Robinson joined the Free Church of England, aligned with the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) of conservative evangelicals. He currently serves as minister-in-charge at Christ Church, Harlesden.

  4. Moral Views: Robinson opposes the ordination of women, same-sex marriage, and abortion. He believes premarital sex is a sin and holds pro-life positions.

Criticisms and Controversies

Robinson's outspoken nature has led to several controversies and criticisms.

  1. Criticism of Church of England: Robinson criticizes the Church of England's leadership for liberal political bias. He advocates for disestablishing the Church to free it from political influence and allow Anglican realignment churches to thrive.

  2. Controversies and Criticisms: Robinson's views on women's ordination and his assertion that liberalism and aspects of Marxism stem from the Protestant Reformation have sparked controversy. These comments led to his dismissal from the Mere Anglicanism conference.

  3. Racial Issues: Robinson has been vocal about racial issues, stating that he does not believe the Church of England is institutionally racist. This stance led to a confrontation with Bishop Sarah Mullally, who argued otherwise.

Current Activities

Robinson continues to be an influential figure in British conservative circles.

  1. Public Speaking and Writing: Known for his engaging public speaking style, Robinson has written controversial columns for various publications and has been featured in media outlets like The Daily Telegraph and Spiked.

  2. Current Activities: As of August 2024, Robinson became the lead spokesman for the UK Independence Party (UKIP). He remains a prominent figure in British conservative circles, advocating for his conservative and evangelical values through various media platforms.

Calvin Robinson: A Controversial Conservative Voice

Calvin Robinson's journey from tech industry professional to conservative commentator and cleric is nothing short of fascinating. His outspoken views on politics, religion, and social issues have made him a polarizing figure. Whether it's his stance on Brexit, his criticism of the Church of England, or his opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, Robinson never shies away from controversy. His career has seen him move from teaching and journalism to becoming a prominent voice on platforms like GB News and The Lotus Eaters. Despite facing numerous challenges, including his dismissal from GB News, Robinson continues to advocate for his beliefs. Now a priest in the Nordic Catholic Church and a spokesman for UKIP, he remains a significant figure in British conservative circles. Love him or hate him, Calvin Robinson's impact on public discourse is undeniable.

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