Following a string of successful London book launches for his autobiography Unplanned, held in a variety of great venues from London’s Hippodrome to the Victoria Palace Theatre, attended by London’s movers and shakers, Mallorcan homeowner Robert Davis MA MBE DL, hosted an elegant event for his Mallorcan friends and family in Puerto Portals.
By Laura Stadler
Unplanned charts the extraordinary snakes and ladders of a political life in the City of Westminster. Indeed, the former politician, held the record for being both the longest serving Westminster councillor and Deputy Leader of the Council. During this time, he participated in numerous historic events and initiated many changes to the fabric of Westminster. His fascinating account of city life in central London, contains remarkable and amusing stories.
In his 36 years as a councillor, he made history becoming the youngest Lord Mayor of Westminster at 38; witnessing from his central role the complexity of Britain’s legendary protocol and pageantry. His interesting descriptions of attending State Banquets at Buckingham Palace include how his Lady Mayoress nearly dropped her heavily jewelled necklace into the royal soup. He also gives an insight into Her Majesty The Queen and the unique charisma of Nelson Mandela, who Robert co-hosted during Mandela’s historic State Visit in 1996. All illustrated with over 450 glorious photos.
As Deputy Leader of Westminster, Robert worked closely with Boris Johnson who became a good friend and for 17 years as Chairman of Westminster’s Planning Committee. Robert led the Council’s planning team in improving the quality of architecture in Westminster and creating a greener more eco-friendly city. He is especially proud of his leadership in the rejuvenation of Leicester Square and the regeneration of Piccadilly, Bond Street and Marble Arch.
As a patron of the arts in London and West End Theatre in particular, Robert is responsible for the first new purpose-built theatre to be constructed in the West End in over fifty years, @SohoPlace, which opens this Autumn. He also created West End Live and for over a decade chaired the board of the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park. Unplanned illuminates an intriguing world of politics, pomp and pageantry few could imagine. https://www.browndogbooks.uk/ products/unplanned-robert-davis
