Jeffrey Donaldson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeffrey Donaldson
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Official portrait, 2017
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| Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party | |
| In office 30 June 2021 – 29 March 2024 |
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| Deputy | Paula Bradley Gavin Robinson |
| Preceded by | Edwin Poots |
| Succeeded by | Gavin Robinson |
| Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in the House of Commons | |
| In office 17 December 2019 – 29 March 2024 |
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| Leader | Arlene Foster Edwin Poots Himself |
| Preceded by | Nigel Dodds |
| Succeeded by | Gavin Robinson |
| Democratic Unionist Party Chief Whip in the House of Commons | |
| In office 8 May 2015 – 17 December 2019 |
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| Leader | Nigel Dodds |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Sammy Wilson |
| Junior Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister | |
| In office 26 February 2008 – 1 July 2009 Serving with Gerry Kelly
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| Preceded by | Ian Paisley Jr |
| Succeeded by | Robin Newton |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Lagan Valley |
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| In office 26 November 2003 – 14 June 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick Roche |
| Succeeded by | Paul Givan |
| Member of Parliament for Lagan Valley |
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| In office 1 May 1997 – 30 May 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Sir James Molyneaux |
| Succeeded by | Sorcha Eastwood |
| Member of Lisburn City Council | |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Archer |
| Succeeded by | Alan Carlisle |
| Constituency | Lisburn Town South |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Lagan Valley |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Down |
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| In office 17 October 1985 – 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Raymond McCullough |
| Succeeded by | Assembly dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 December 1962 Kilkeel, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party (suspended) |
| Other political affiliations |
Ulster Unionist Party (until 2003) |
| Spouse |
Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Cousins
(m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Castlereagh College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  British Army |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | Ulster Defence Regiment |
Sir Jeffrey Mark Donaldson (born 7 December 1962) is a former politician from Northern Ireland. He was the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from 2021 to 2024. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Lagan Valley for many years, from 1997 to 2024.
As a young man, Donaldson served in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) during a period of conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. He began his political career with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). He was elected to the House of Commons in 1997.
Donaldson became well-known for disagreeing with his party's leader, David Trimble, over the Good Friday Agreement. This was a major deal to bring peace to Northern Ireland. In 2003, Donaldson left the UUP and joined the DUP a year later.
In March 2024, he stepped down as leader of the DUP for personal reasons. He later announced that he would not be a candidate in the 2024 general election.
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Early Life and Background
Jeffrey Donaldson was born in Kilkeel, County Down, in Northern Ireland. He grew up with four brothers and three sisters. He went to Kilkeel High School and later studied at Castlereagh College.
When he was 16, he joined the Orange Order, a cultural organization. He also joined the youth group of the Ulster Unionist Party.
During the Troubles, a difficult time in Northern Ireland's history, two of his cousins who were police officers were killed. This experience deeply affected him. He decided to join the Ulster Defence Regiment, a part of the British Army, to serve his community.
Start of His Political Career
Donaldson's first jobs in politics were helping other politicians. From 1982 to 1984, he worked for the UUP MP Enoch Powell. He helped Powell win two elections. After that, he worked for the UUP leader James Molyneaux until 1997.
First Steps into Politics
In 1985, when he was just 22, Donaldson was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. This was a local government that was later shut down.
In 1997, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Lagan Valley. This meant he had a seat in the UK Parliament in London. At the time, many people thought he could become a future leader of the UUP.
Role in the Peace Process
In 1998, Donaldson was part of the team working on the Good Friday Agreement. This was a very important agreement designed to end the conflict in Northern Ireland.
However, Donaldson was not happy with the final deal. He was concerned that it did not require paramilitary groups to give up their weapons before their political parties could join the government. On the day the agreement was signed, he walked out of the talks to show his disagreement.
Joining the DUP
Donaldson continued to disagree with his party leader, David Trimble, over the Good Friday Agreement. In 2003, he and two other MPs resigned from the UUP. In 2004, they announced they had joined the DUP, which was the UUP's main rival party.
After joining the DUP, Donaldson was re-elected as an MP in 2005. He also served as a Junior Minister in the Northern Ireland government from 2008 to 2009.
In 2009, a newspaper reported that Donaldson had claimed money for films on his hotel expenses. He repaid the money and stated that he had not watched any inappropriate content.
Leadership of the DUP
In May 2021, Donaldson ran to become the leader of the DUP but narrowly lost to Edwin Poots. However, Poots resigned after only three weeks.
In June 2021, Donaldson became the new leader of the DUP without any opposition. As leader, his main goal was to deal with the Northern Ireland Protocol. This was a trade agreement with the European Union that created new checks on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
The DUP was against the Protocol. To protest it, the party refused to help form a new government in Northern Ireland after the 2022 election. This caused the government at Stormont to be suspended for two years.
In February 2024, Donaldson and the DUP agreed to a new deal with the UK government. This deal made changes to the trade rules, and the Northern Ireland government was restored.
On 29 March 2024, Donaldson resigned as DUP leader for personal reasons. He was succeeded by Gavin Robinson.
Political Views
Donaldson was a strong supporter of Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom. He supported Brexit, which was the UK's decision to leave the European Union.
He was against the Northern Ireland Protocol because he believed it created a border in the Irish Sea. He felt this weakened Northern Ireland's place in the UK.
He also held traditional views on social issues. He opposed same-sex marriage, which became legal in 2019.
Personal Life
Donaldson married his wife, Eleanor, in 1987. They have two daughters. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
When asked about his identity, Donaldson has said he feels Irish, Northern Irish, and British. He believes these identities can all exist together.
In 2016, he was made a Knight Bachelor by the Queen for his service to politics. This is why he is called "Sir" Jeffrey Donaldson.
