Michael McGimpsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael McGimpsey
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Michael McGimpsey at a 2011 rally for the murdered police officer Ronan Kerr
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| Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety | |
| In office 8 May 2007 – 16 May 2011 |
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| First Minister | Peter Robinson |
| Preceded by | Office suspended Last incumbent: Bairbre de Brún |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Poots |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast, South |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 7 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | New Creation |
| Succeeded by | Christopher Stalford |
| Member of Belfast City Council |
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| In office 19 May 1993 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Dixie Gilmore |
| Succeeded by | Catherine Curran |
| Constituency | Laganbank |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 June 1948 Donaghadee, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Maureen McGimpsey |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Newtownards |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin |
| Profession | Businessman |
Michael McGimpsey (born 1 July 1948) is a politician from Northern Ireland. He was a member of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). From 1998 to 2016, he served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for the area of Belfast South.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Growing Up and Business Career
Michael McGimpsey was born in Donaghadee, which is in County Down, Northern Ireland. He went to Regent House Grammar School and later studied at Trinity College, Dublin.
Before becoming a full-time politician, Michael McGimpsey was a businessman. He worked in different areas like property development, hotels, and the hospitality business.
Starting in Politics
Michael McGimpsey began his political career in 1993. He was first elected to the Belfast City Council. This council helps run the city of Belfast.
In 1998, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for the South Belfast area. This Assembly is the main law-making body for Northern Ireland.
From 1999 to 2002, Michael McGimpsey served as the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. During his time as minister, an important historical document called the Ulster Covenant was made available online. This made it easier for people to see and study it.
National Elections
Running for Parliament
Michael McGimpsey also ran in elections for the UK Parliament in London.
In the 2005 general election, he was the candidate for the Ulster Unionist Party in the South Belfast area. However, the vote was split between different parties. Because of this, another politician, Alasdair McDonnell from the Social Democratic and Labour Party, won the seat.
In 2009, Michael McGimpsey decided not to run for Parliament in the 2010 election. He said he felt he could help his local area best by continuing his work as the Minister for Health.
Assembly Elections
2007 Assembly Election Results
In the 2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Michael McGimpsey was re-elected to his seat in the Assembly. However, his party, the UUP, received fewer votes in South Belfast than in the previous election. This meant the party lost one of its seats in that area.
Ulster Unionist Party Role
Michael McGimpsey was known to be a close supporter of David Trimble, who was a former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. Some people even thought Michael McGimpsey might become a leader of the party himself one day. He is seen as being on the more left-leaning side of the Ulster Unionists.
