Career
Dobson went to Purbrook Park School in Portsmouth. He joined the Labour Party in 1947 and had a career in the Union of Post Office Workers, on which he served on the Executive. In 1960, Dobson was Labour candidate at the Tiverton by-election.
He fought the seat again in the 1966 general election and this time prevailed by nearly 4,000.
With a neighbouring seat, Tony Benn got on well with Dobson and appointed him as his Parliamentary Private Secretary in 1967. Harold Wilson promoted Dobson to be an Assistant Whip in October 1969.
However, he lost his seat by 462 votes in the 1970 general election. He was appointed Director of Personnel for British Caledonian Airways.
Later in the 1970s, Dobson served on the board of Gambia Airways (1974-1977) and of Air Liberia (from 1976).
