Richard is a political commentator, activist and consultant who regularly contributes to the debates on British domestic politics and international affairs.
Originally from a North Eastern seaside town, Richard studied a BA in History & Politics and a Masters Degree in Defence & Security Analysis at Lancaster University.
Richard is the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Hartlepool. He has been a member of the Conservative Party since 1998 and has worked for a Member of Parliament and run several election campaigns including one of the most successful of the 2005 General Election, whilst also standing as a council candidate himself. Most recently, he was responsible for the local coordination of Boris Johnson’s 2012 London Mayoral re-election campaign. He has won two national awards during this time.
Richard is a professional political consultant, certified by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, the UK Public Affairs Council and the Association of Professional Political Consultants. He has worked within the civil service and both in-house and agency PR, gaining significant experience in the areas of planning & property development; licensing; public health policy; gambling legislation; soft drinks; defence related export licensing; the charitable sector; corporate social responsibility; and environmental issues. In 2012 he set up Lionheart Public Affairs, where he advised sectors including healthcare, waste management and recycling. 
Richard has written and contributed to articles for several major newspapers, magazines and publications including The Mail on Sunday, The Guardian, The House Magazine, PR Week, Public Affairs News, Conservative Home, ShoutOutUK, and H2Open Magazine.
He has appeared on numerous television and radio programmes, including giving interviews on Sky News Live, Channel 4 News, BBC Politics Show, Bloomberg and Al Jazeera.
He is a competitive swimmer and the Team Manager for his local masters swimming club, competing in pool-based events including British National Championships and open water events in locations such as Victoria Docks, Dorney Lake and the Henley Regatta course. 
In September 2014 Richard swam from Alcatraz island to the mainland in San Francisco, an ‘escape’ which no prisoner successfully made during its 29 years of operating as a federal penitentiary. He raised over £1,600 for Young Minds, the children’s and young persons’ mental health charity, you can view his fundraising page here. He previously raised over £1,600 for Mind by taking part in the Great London Swim.
He has been a Trustee for mental health charity Mind and managed media, marketing and PR for a regional Autistic Society. He is a long term member of the World Wildlife Fund, the Aspinall Foundation and the Shark Trust.
One of his more unusual hobbies is collecting flags – he is a member of the Flag Institute and takes an active involvement in the Flags & Heraldry APPG.
You can contact Richard on richard@richardroyal.com
Follow on twitter via @lionheartroyal
View his personal site here – www.richardroyal.com
Lionheart's Lair 