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 July 6, 1959. He is a politician from Northern Ireland. He was the Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) from December 2019 to May 2022.
Before that, Danny Kennedy was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). An MLA is like a local representative who helps make laws for Northern Ireland. He represented the area of Newry and Armagh from 1998 to 2017.
He also served as a minister in the Northern Ireland government. From 2011 to 2015, he was the Minister for Regional Development. This job involved looking after things like roads and public transport. In 2016, he became the Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which means he helped lead meetings in the Assembly. He lost his MLA seat in March 2017.
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Danny Kennedy's Political Journey
Danny Kennedy joined the Ulster Unionist Party in 1974. He has worked in many different roles within the party. He has been involved in local government and in the wider party organization.
Early Elections and Assembly Work
In 1996, Danny Kennedy tried to get elected to the Northern Ireland Forum. This was a group set up to discuss the future of Northern Ireland. He was not successful in that election.
In 1997, he ran for a seat in the UK Parliament in London. He received over 18,000 votes but did not win. The next year, in 1998, he was elected as an MLA to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
From 1998 to 2002, Kennedy was the UUP's spokesperson for education. He also led a committee in the Assembly that looked at and helped create new laws about education.
Leadership Roles and Ministerial Positions
When the Northern Ireland government was set up again in 2007, Danny Kennedy became the chairman of a committee. This committee worked with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. He was even given an award for being the "Best Committee Chair" in 2008.
From 2010 to 2011, he was the Minister for Employment and Learning. In this role, he helped with jobs and training programs. Then, from 2011 to 2015, he served as the Minister for Regional Development. This job involved managing public services like roads and water.
Later Elections and Party Leadership
Danny Kennedy ran for the UK Parliament again in 2005, 2010, and 2015. He did not win these elections, but he gained more votes each time.
In the 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Danny Kennedy lost his seat as an MLA. However, he continued to be active in politics. In 2019, he was a candidate for the European Parliament election in Northern Ireland.
On December 23, 2019, Danny Kennedy was chosen as the Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party. He held this important leadership role until May 2022.
