John Blair (Northern Ireland politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Blair MLA
Blair in 2024
Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 February 2024 Serving with Carál Ní Chuilín and Steve Aiken
Preceded by	Roy Beggs Jr (2022)
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Antrim
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 June 2018
Preceded by	David Ford
Member of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
In office 22 May 2014 – 27 June 2018
Preceded by	Council created
Succeeded by	Julian McGrath
Constituency	Glengormley Urban
Member of Newtownabbey Borough Council
In office 5 May 2011 – 22 May 2014
Preceded by	Tom Campbell
Succeeded by	Council abolished
Constituency	Antrim Line
In office 21 May 1997 – 7 June 2001
Preceded by	Elizabeth Frazer
Succeeded by	Briege Meehan
Constituency	Antrim Line
In office 19 May 1993 – 21 May 1997
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	Billy Webb
Constituency	Macedon
In office 17 May 1989 – 19 May 1993
Preceded by	Jim Allister
Succeeded by	District abolished
Constituency	Doagh Road
Personal details
Born	(1966-02-10) 10 February 1966 (age 59)
Nationality	Northern Irish
Political party	Alliance
Other political affiliations	Newtownabbey Ratepayers' Association (1997–2005)
Occupation	Politician
Website	http://www.johnblairmla.com/

John Kenneth Blair (born 10 February 1966) is a politician from the Alliance Party. He has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for South Antrim since 2018. Since February 2024, he has also served as a Deputy Speaker in the Northern Ireland Assembly. He is known for being the first openly gay member of the Assembly.

John Blair's Political Journey

John Blair has had a long career in politics, starting at a local level and moving up to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He has worked to represent the people in his area for many years.

Early Steps in Local Government

John Blair began his political career as a councillor. In 1997, he was elected to the Newtownabbey Borough Council. He represented a group called the Newtownabbey Ratepayers' Association. He served on the council for four years.

In the 2001 local elections, he did not win re-election. He tried again in 2005 but was not successful that time.

Serving as a Councillor (2011-2018)

Blair returned to local government in 2011. He was elected to the Newtownabbey Borough Council again, this time as a candidate for the Alliance Party. He received a lot of votes and was elected quickly.

In 2014, local councils in Northern Ireland were reorganized. Blair was re-elected to the new Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. He continued to represent the Glengormley Urban area.

Becoming a Member of the Assembly (2018-Present)

In 2018, John Blair became a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA). An MLA is like a representative who helps make laws and decisions for Northern Ireland. He took over the seat for South Antrim after the previous Alliance Party leader, David Ford, stepped down.

As an MLA, Blair has taken on important roles. He has been part of the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly, which helps politicians from different parts of the UK and Ireland work together. He also served on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which helps oversee policing in Northern Ireland.

Elections for Parliament

John Blair has also run in elections for the UK Parliament. In the 2019 General Election, he was the Alliance Party candidate for South Antrim. He helped increase the number of votes for his party in that election.

He was re-elected as an MLA in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election. He received a strong number of votes, showing continued support from his community.

In the 2024 General Election, he again ran for the UK Parliament in South Antrim. He finished in fourth place in that election.

Personal Life

John Blair is recognized as the first openly gay MLA to serve in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

See also

• Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
• List of the first LGBT holders of political offices in the United Kingdom