Jonathan Bell (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Bell
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| Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment | |
| In office 11 May 2015 – 5 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Arlene Foster |
| Succeeded by | Simon Hamilton |
| Junior Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister | |
| In office 16 May 2011 – 11 May 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Robin Newton |
| Succeeded by | Michelle McIlveen |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford |
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| In office 22 January 2010 – 26 January 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Iris Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Peter Weir |
| Member of Ards Borough Council |
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| In office 5 May 2005 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Linda Cleland |
| Succeeded by | Tom Smith |
| Constituency | Ards East |
| Mayor of Craigavon | |
| In office 2002–2003 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Gardiner |
| Succeeded by | Ignatius Fox |
| Member of Craigavon Borough Council |
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| In office 21 May 1997 – 5 May 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Donald Mackay |
| Succeeded by | Mark Russell |
| Constituency | Lurgan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jonathan Fergus Bell
5 March 1970 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Independent (2016-2017) DUP (2000-2016) UUP (until 2000) |
| Spouse | Lisa Bell |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Conlig, County Down |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
| Profession | Social worker |
Jonathan Fergus Bell (born 5 March 1970) is a former politician from Northern Ireland. He was a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) for many years.
Bell served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the area of Strangford. He held this position from 2010 until 2017.
During his time as an MLA, he held important roles. From 2011 to 2015, he was a Junior Minister. After that, from 2015 to 2016, he served as the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
In 2017, Jonathan Bell spoke publicly about an issue known as the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. This led to a public investigation. After this, he was suspended from the DUP. He then served as an independent MLA until he lost his seat in the 2017 elections.
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Early Life and Family
Jonathan Bell was born on 5 March 1970. He was the youngest of three children. His father, Fergus Bell, was a minister in the Free Methodist Church. His mother, Nora, worked as a secretary. When he was just three months old, he became ill with whooping cough but recovered.
Political Career Highlights
Jonathan Bell began his political career on the Craigavon Borough Council. He was a council member from 1997 to 2005. During this time, he also served as both deputy mayor and mayor.
Joining and Leaving Parties
Bell was first elected as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). However, he was not happy with the party's leader, David Trimble. Because of this, he left the UUP in March 2000. In 1999, he helped organize a protest called "The Long March." This event supported the rights of Protestants and Unionists.
By 2001, he had joined the DUP. When he became an MLA, he was a DUP council member for Ards.
Becoming an MLA
In 2010, Jonathan Bell became an MLA for Strangford. He took over the seat after Iris Robinson resigned.
After being elected as an MLA in 2011, he was appointed as a Junior Minister. In this role, he worked with Sinn Féin politician Martina Anderson. They worked together to support the shared leadership of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Ministerial Role
In May 2015, Bell was appointed Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. This happened during a change in government roles for DUP MLAs. Arlene Foster, who was the previous minister, moved to a different department.
After the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Bell was re-elected as an MLA for Strangford. However, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment was renamed the Department for the Economy. Simon Hamilton became the new minister for this department, and Bell left his role in the Executive.
Personal Life
Jonathan Bell studied at Queen's University Belfast. He earned a degree in psychology. He also completed further studies to get a master's degree in social work. Before becoming a full-time politician in 2010, he worked as a social worker, helping children.
His wife, Lisa Bell, works as a nurse. They have two children together. The family lives in Conlig, which is in County Down.
