Scots Tory Ian Robertson Joins Barack Obama's Campaign Team

Mar 23 2008 By Lynn Mcpherson

A TORY tycoon has gone to the US to help Barack Obama become President.

Multi-millionaire Ian Robertson, 60, who stood as MP for Paisley, has been knocking on doors for the Democrat hopeful.

Most Conservatives in Britain would back the Republicans in the US but he has been bowled over by the charismatic 46-year-old.

He said: "The right wing in America can be a lot further right than in Britain and a lot of what Obama talks about makes sense."

Glasgow-born Robertson, who lives in Nottingham with wife Fiona, is banned from making a donation to the campaign as he is not an American citizen.

Instead, he has joined the army of thousands of people canvassing on the streets.

But the former chief of building company Wilson Bowden is a bit of a novelty as the lone Scot.

He said: "I had only been on the street for two hours when a car pulled up and a lady stuck her head out and said, 'You're the Scot, I've heard about you'."

Robertson, a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, flew to Atlanta to help the Obama campaign before Super Tuesday, when millions of Democrats voted in the candidates' race.

Next month he will help the Illinois senator in the crucial Pennsylvania contest - and this time he hopes to shake his hand.

Robertson, who as a 60s folk singer shared a stage with Billy Connolly, said: "I didn't get tomeet Obama last time. He does seem to have a special glow. I think he will win the nomination."

Obama has 1620 delegates backing his bid to become Democrat candidate while Hillary Clinton has 1471, with 2024 needed to win.