Jim Allister facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Allister
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Leader of Traditional Unionist Voice | |
| Assumed office 7 December 2007 |
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| Deputy | Ron McDowell |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Member of Parliament for North Antrim |
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| Assumed office 4 July 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Ian Paisley Jr |
| Majority | 450 (1.1%) |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for North Antrim |
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| In office 5 May 2011 – 5 July 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Declan O'Loan |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Gaston |
| In office 1982–1986 |
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| Preceded by | Assembly reconvened |
| Succeeded by | Assembly dissolved |
| Member of the European Parliament for Northern Ireland |
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| In office 11 July 2004 – 4 June 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Ian Paisley |
| Succeeded by | Diane Dodds |
| Member of Newtownabbey Borough Council | |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 17 May 1989 |
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| Preceded by | New district |
| Succeeded by | John Blair |
| Constituency | Doagh Road |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 April 1953 Listooder, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Traditional Unionist Voice (since 2007) |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouse |
Ruth McCullagh
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
| Profession | Barrister |
James Hugh Allister (born 2 April 1953) is a politician from Northern Ireland. He is a Member of Parliament (MP) for North Antrim. He was elected in the 2024 general election.
Jim Allister started the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) political party in 2007. He has been the leader of this party ever since. Before becoming an MP, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for North Antrim. He was first elected as an MLA in 2011.
Allister was also a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from 1971 until 2007. He was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Northern Ireland from 2004 to 2009.
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Early Life and Education
Jim Allister was born on 2 April 1953 in Listooder, a small place near Crossgar in County Down. When he was nine, his family moved to Craigantlet, close to Newtownards. His parents, Robert and Mary Jane Allister, were Protestants from County Monaghan. They had moved to County Down around 1949 or 1950.
Allister went to Barnamaghery Primary School and later Dundonald Primary School. He then attended Regent House Grammar School in Newtownards. After school, he studied at Queen's University Belfast. He earned a law degree with honors, focusing on constitutional law.
Early Political Involvement
Jim Allister joined the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) when it was first formed in 1971. Before that, he was part of the Official Unionist Party (OUP).
In 1972, he was the chairman of the Queen's University DUP Association. He wrote a letter to the Belfast Telegraph newspaper. In the letter, he said that Ian Paisley wanted Northern Ireland to be more closely connected to the rest of the United Kingdom.
Allister was involved in the 1974 Ulster Workers' Council strike. This strike was against the Sunningdale Agreement. This agreement aimed to share power in Northern Ireland. From 1980 to 1982, he worked as an assistant to Ian Paisley in the European Parliament.
Becoming an Elected Politician
In 1982, Jim Allister was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont. He represented North Antrim. He also served as the DUP's chief whip in the Assembly.
Allister believed that the DUP would prefer no local government rather than sharing power. This meant working with nationalist representatives like the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). He was also a member of Newtownabbey Borough Council from 1985 to 1987.
In 1983, he ran for the United Kingdom Parliament in East Antrim. However, he did not win this election.
Politics After the Anglo-Irish Agreement
After the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed in 1985, Jim Allister strongly opposed it. This agreement was made between the British and Irish governments. He was part of a group that led the unionist campaign against the agreement.
In May 1986, Allister and other DUP politicians occupied the telephone exchange at Stormont. They blocked calls to government departments. The police had to break down a door to end the occupation.
In September 1986, Allister and Peter Robinson said they might declare Northern Ireland independent. This would happen if the Anglo-Irish Agreement was not removed.
Allister left active politics in June 1987. This was reportedly due to a disagreement with Ian Paisley.
Legal Career
Jim Allister became a Barrister in Northern Ireland in 1976. He specialized in criminal law. A barrister is a type of lawyer who represents people in court. In 2001, he became a Queen's Counsel (KC). This is a special title given to experienced barristers.
Member of the European Parliament
Jim Allister rejoined the DUP in 2004. He successfully ran as the party's candidate for Northern Ireland in the 2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom. He received the most votes in that election.
He was very active as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He took part in many debates and asked many questions. He was also a member of the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries. A group called the TaxPayers' Alliance said he was one of the most hardworking MEPs from the UK.
On 27 March 2007, Allister left the DUP again. This was because the party decided to work with Sinn Féin in government. Later in 2007, he decided to start a new political party. On 7 December 2007, he founded the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).
In the 2009 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom, Allister ran as a TUV candidate. He received a good number of votes but was not re-elected as an MEP.
Leader of the TUV
Jim Allister ran as a TUV candidate in the 2010 Westminster election. He stood in the North Antrim constituency. He came in second place, losing to Ian Paisley Jr of the DUP.
Allister has spoken out against the A5 Western Transport Corridor road project. He also criticized a proposed bypass around Dungiven on the A6.
Allister returned to the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2011 election. He was the last candidate elected in North Antrim.
In 2012, Allister started an annual event at Parliament Buildings in Belfast. This event remembers the victims of terrorism. It takes place every year on 11 March.
In June 2013, a law proposed by Allister was passed. It was called the Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill. This law made the rules stricter for appointing special advisers to government ministers. For example, people convicted of serious crimes could not be appointed. Allister called this "Ann's Law." He said it was a tribute to Ann Travers, who had campaigned for changes.
Allister holds traditional views on social issues. He supports the Caleb Foundation, a group that believes in creationism.
He ran again in the 2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom. He received 75,806 votes but was not elected.
In the 2016 Assembly election, Allister received the most votes in North Antrim. He was elected on the seventh count. In November 2016, he voted against a motion to pardon gay men for past illegal acts.
In February 2021, another law proposed by Jim Allister was passed. This law aimed to improve how the Northern Ireland government works. It made sure that written records of government meetings were kept. It also made it a crime to share secret information for personal financial gain. Ministers and special advisers now have to declare their financial interests. This law also stopped political parties from appointing certain senior advisers without proper procedures.
An opinion poll in August 2021 showed more support for Allister's TUV party. However, in the May 2022 Assembly elections, the TUV did not win any new seats. Allister was re-elected in North Antrim. He said he was disappointed that their increased vote did not lead to more seats.
Member of Parliament
In March 2024, the TUV party teamed up with Reform UK for the 2024 United Kingdom general election. They agreed to support certain candidates in Northern Ireland. Jim Allister announced he would run for the TUV–Reform alliance in North Antrim.
North Antrim had been a very safe seat for the DUP for a long time. Ian Paisley Jr had held it since 2010, and his father Ian Paisley before him since 1970. However, Jim Allister defeated Ian Paisley Jr by 450 votes. This was the first time the TUV won a seat in the UK Parliament.
After his election, people wondered if Allister would join the Reform UK group of MPs. He said he would not formally join them. However, he would support them on issues they agreed on.
In September 2024, Allister was chosen to put forward a new law in the UK Parliament. This is a special opportunity given to some MPs.
Personal Life
Jim Allister married Ruth McCullagh in 1978. They have two sons and one daughter. He is a member of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2024
