Danny Kennedy (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danny Kennedy
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| Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party | |
| In office 23 December 2019 – 21 May 2022 |
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| Leader | Steve Aiken Doug Beattie |
| Preceded by | Reg Empey |
| Succeeded by | Jill Macauley |
| Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
| In office 11 May 2016 – 29 June 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Roy Beggs Jr |
| Succeeded by | Roy Beggs Jr |
| Minister for Regional Development | |
| In office 16 May 2011 – 1 September 2015 |
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| First Minister | Peter Robinson |
| Preceded by | Conor Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Michelle McIlveen |
| Minister for Employment and Learning | |
| In office 27 October 2010 – 5 May 2011 |
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| First Minister | Peter Robinson |
| Preceded by | Sir Reg Empey |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Farry |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Newry and Armagh |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 26 January 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency created |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Member of Newry and Mourne District Council |
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| In office 15 May 1985 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | David Taylor |
| Constituency | The Fews |
| Northern Ireland Forum Member for Newry and Armagh |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Forum established |
| Succeeded by | Forum dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 July 1959 Bessbrook, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Karen |
| Children | 3 |
Danny Kennedy was born on 6 July 1959 in Bessbrook, Northern Ireland. He is a politician who believes Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom. He was the Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) from December 2019 to May 2022. Before that, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the area of Newry and Armagh. He served as an MLA from 1998 to 2017.
Mr. Kennedy also held important roles in the Northern Ireland government. He was the Minister for Regional Development from 2011 to 2015. In 2016, he was chosen to be the Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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Danny Kennedy's Political Journey
Danny Kennedy joined the Ulster Unionist Party in 1974 when he was 15 years old. He has worked at many levels within the party. This includes local government and wider party roles.
Early Steps in Politics
In 1996, he tried to get elected to the Northern Ireland Forum for Newry and Armagh, but he was not successful. The next year, in 1997, he ran for a seat in the UK Parliament. He received many votes, but did not win.
Serving as an MLA
In 1998, Danny Kennedy was elected as an MLA for Newry and Armagh. An MLA is like a local representative in the Northern Ireland Assembly. He worked as the UUP's spokesperson for education. He also led the Assembly Committee that looked at and helped create new education laws. This was between 1998 and 2002.
When the Northern Ireland government started working again in 2007, he became the leader of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. He was recognized for his good work in this role.
Important Government Roles
Danny Kennedy served as a government minister twice. From 2010 to 2011, he was the Minister for Employment and Learning. This role involved looking after jobs and training. Later, from 2011 to 2015, he was the Minister for Regional Development. In this job, he was in charge of things like roads and public transport.
Recent Political Activities
Danny Kennedy ran for the UK Parliament in 2005, 2010, and 2015 for the Newry and Armagh area. He did not win these elections.
In 2017, he lost his seat as an MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly election. This election took place on 2 March 2017.
In 2019, he was a candidate for the European Parliament election for Northern Ireland. On 23 December 2019, he became the Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party. He held this important leadership role until May 2022.
