Mark Robinson (Northern Ireland politician) facts for kids

Mark Simon Peter Robinson was born on 12 May 1959. He is a politician from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Belfast South.

He was an MLA from 1998 to 2007. This means he was part of the Assembly for two terms. The Assembly is like a parliament for Northern Ireland.

What is a Politician?

A politician is someone who works in government. They help make decisions for a country or region. Mark Robinson was a politician in Northern Ireland.

He was a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). This is one of the main political parties in Northern Ireland.

Mark Robinson's Political Journey

Mark Robinson started his political career in 1998. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He represented an area called Belfast South.

Serving in the Assembly

In 2003, he ran for re-election. He received even more votes that time. He was elected again as the second-place candidate.

He tried to be re-elected in 2007. However, he was not successful that time. Jimmy Spratt won the election instead.

Work on the Council

Besides the Assembly, Mark Robinson also worked on a local council. He served two terms on the Castlereagh Borough Council. He was first elected to the council in 2001.

A council helps manage local services. These can include things like parks, roads, and waste collection.

Managing Expenses as an MLA

MLAs, like other politicians, have expenses for their work. These expenses cover things like travel. Mark Robinson's travel expenses were sometimes discussed in the media.

He represented a constituency very close to where the Parliament Buildings are. A party source mentioned he was living outside his constituency for family reasons.

In 2006, he also declared part-time work. He worked for Marks and Spencer. This information was listed in the Register of Members' Interests. This register shows any other jobs or income that politicians have.