Mike Nesbitt facts for kids
Michael Nesbitt, born on May 11, 1957, is a politician from Northern Ireland and a former broadcaster. He currently serves as the Minister of Health, a role he took on in May 2024. Mike Nesbitt is also the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), a position he has held since August 2024. He was previously the UUP leader from 2012 to 2017. Since 2011, he has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Strangford area. Before becoming Minister of Health, he was briefly a special assistant to the Health Minister, Robin Swann. He became the UUP leader again after the previous leader, Doug Beattie, stepped down.
Quick facts for kids
Mike Nesbitt
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Nesbitt in 2024
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| Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 28 September 2024 |
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| Deputy | Robbie Butler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Doug Beattie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 31 March 2012 – 8 April 2017 |
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| Deputy | John McCallister Robin Swann |
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| Preceded by | Tom Elliott | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Robin Swann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Health | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 28 May 2024 |
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| First Minister | Michelle O'Neill | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Robin Swann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford |
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| Assumed office 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Simpson Gibson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assembly Private Secretary to the Health Minister | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 21 April 2024 – 28 May 2024 |
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| Minister of Health | Robin Swann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson for the Economy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 25 May 2021 – 28 May 2024 |
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| Leader | Doug Beattie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Colin Crawford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Commissioner for Victims and Survivors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 2008 – 17 February 2010 Serving with Patricia McBride, Brendan McAllister and Bertha McDougall
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| Preceded by | Position established (Bertha McDougall as sole interim Commisioner) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Kathryn Stone (2012) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 11 May 1957 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
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| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Unknown
(before 1990)Lynda Bryans
(m. 1992; sep 2020) |
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| Children | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Jesus College, Cambridge Queen's University Belfast |
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| Occupation | Politician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profession | Journalist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Known for | Television Presenter Leader of the UUP |
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Contents
Mike Nesbitt's Career in Broadcasting
Before entering politics, Mike Nesbitt had a successful career in television and radio. He started as a sports reporter for BBC Northern Ireland. From 1986 to 1990, he presented Good Morning Ulster on BBC Radio Ulster.
In 1992, Nesbitt moved to UTV as a presenter and reporter. In 1996, his wife, Lynda Bryans, joined him to co-host the evening news show UTV Live. They also worked together on other shows. These included a religious series called Sunday Morning for Anglia Television and a home and garden series for UTV called Home Sweet Home.
Nesbitt also hosted a show called Counterpoint. He even made a guest appearance in a comedy show in 1998. In 2006, he decided not to renew his contract with UTV. His last UTV Live broadcast was on February 10, 2006.
Mike Nesbitt's Political Journey
In January 2008, Mike Nesbitt began a new role as a Commissioner for Victims and Survivors. This job involved looking out for the interests of people affected by the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
He left this role in February 2010 to run for a seat in the UK Parliament. He stood as a candidate for the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists – New Force in the Strangford area but did not win the election.
In the 2011 election for the Northern Ireland Assembly, Nesbitt was elected as one of the MLAs representing Strangford.
Nesbitt is seen as a more open-minded unionist. He has supported changes, like speaking in favor of same-sex marriage in 2017, even though he had been against it before. He has been compared to Terence O'Neill, a former Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, who also tried to bring about reforms.
From July 2020 to 2024, Nesbitt was the UUP representative on the Northern Ireland Policing Board. This board helps oversee the police service.
As the UUP's spokesperson for the Economy, he asked the UK government to lower Northern Ireland's company tax. This was to attract more businesses and investment from the U.S. He also called for duty-free shopping to be brought back for flights from Northern Ireland to the EU.
Nesbitt also raised concerns about a data leak from the police (PSNI). He worried about the safety of police officers and staff. He also asked the police chief for clear information after a police laptop was stolen.
In August 2023, after a meeting of the Policing Board, Nesbitt asked the PSNI leaders to create a plan to improve public trust in the police. This came after a survey showed that public confidence in the PSNI was at a very low point.
In 2024, Nesbitt became a special assistant to the Health Minister, Robin Swann. He then took over from Swann as Health Minister when Swann resigned to run in the 2024 general election.
Minister of Health (2024–Present)
Becoming Health Minister
Mike Nesbitt became the Health Minister on May 28, 2024, after Robin Swann resigned. Nesbitt said that being Health Minister was "the political honor" of his life. He also called it "the ultimate political challenge."
Key Actions in 2024
May
On May 29, 2024, Nesbitt stated he would not allow "catastrophic cuts" to health services. He promised to make tough decisions if needed. He also visited L'Arche Village in Belfast and attended an awards ceremony. Nesbitt said he would support both patients and healthcare workers.
He was pleased to see more people in Northern Ireland supporting organ donation. This was after "Dáithi's Law" was introduced a year earlier, on May 31, 2024.
June
On June 3, 2024, Nesbitt gave his first speech as Health Minister to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
He highlighted the importance of being careful about sun exposure on June 5, 2024. He visited a primary school to take part in a sun safety session.
On June 12, 2024, Nesbitt said that a report on health differences must be read by everyone in public life. He stated that health inequalities are "a challenge to us all."
Nesbitt congratulated Health and Social Care staff who received honors in June 2024. He sent his "warmest congratulations" to them.
On June 25, 2024, Nesbitt welcomed new guidelines for using certain drugs for cystic fibrosis.
He praised local health services on June 26, 2024. Northern Ireland became the first region in the UK to have all its medical imaging services officially approved.
On June 28, 2024, Nesbitt praised a family-run doctor's surgery for its dedication to a rural community in South Armagh.
July
Nesbitt welcomed extra funding for the Department of Health on July 1, 2024. However, he noted that there was still a "significant shortfall" in the department's budget.
On July 9, 2024, Nesbitt announced that funding for community groups would continue. He confirmed that £1.8 million would be given out, the same amount as the year before. He also announced £200,000 in funding to help people with mental health issues.
Nesbitt shared plans for the next six months on July 10, 2024. He said that dealing with health inequalities must be a "priority across all parts of government."
On July 11, 2024, Nesbitt visited Altnagelvin Hospital for the first time. He met staff and toured the hospital.
Nesbitt welcomed reports on social care on July 18, 2024. He stressed that improving adult social care is about more than just reducing pressure on hospitals.
On July 19, 2024, Nesbitt was pleased that a medical committee recommended a pay offer for consultants.
He highlighted the role of special care centers in reducing long waiting lists. This was during a visit to a center on July 24, 2024.
August
On August 1, 2024, Nesbitt and the Justice Minister launched a new plan. This plan aims to make it easier for people to access certain health services.
On August 21, 2024, Nesbitt appointed Northern Ireland's first independent Autism Reviewer.
Nesbitt welcomed the news on August 23, 2024, that a medical committee would accept the pay offer from the Department of Health.
On August 27, 2024, Nesbitt extended the role of Professor Siobhan O’Neill. She is the Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland.
Nesbitt recognized the "immensely valuable" work of internationally recruited staff in Health and Social Care on August 29, 2024.
September
On September 11, 2024, Nesbitt launched a new plan for the health and well-being of staff working in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
First Time as Leader (2012–2017)
Mike Nesbitt was chosen as the UUP party leader on March 31, 2012. He won against another assembly member, John McCallister, with 536 votes to 129. Nesbitt said he wanted the UUP to be the top choice for all voters who support the union with the UK in Northern Ireland.
In April 2012, Nesbitt announced he wanted to be the first UUP leader to attend a Sinn Féin conference. He believed his party should attend conferences of all major parties.
After becoming leader, Nesbitt criticized the Alliance Party. He called them "unprincipled" and said they caused "a catalogue of disasters." An Alliance spokesperson responded by saying Nesbitt was a new leader with little experience leading a party that was losing support, while the Alliance Party was growing.
Nesbitt has tried to show a type of unionism that is more open to parts of Irish culture. For example, he visited the Gaeltacht Quarter in Belfast. This was to try and change the idea that his party was against the Irish language.
After the 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Nesbitt announced he would step down as party leader. He did so on April 8, 2017.
Becoming Leader Again in 2024
On August 27, 2024, after Doug Beattie resigned as UUP leader, it was reported that Nesbitt would be the only candidate to take over. He planned to reform the party. The UUP's deputy leader, Robbie Butler, supported him. Butler said Nesbitt would lead a "revised and refreshed" team. Nesbitt will continue as Health Minister while also being the party leader. On August 30, 2024, he was confirmed as the only candidate.
After nominations closed, Nesbitt held a press conference. He praised the outgoing leader, Doug Beattie. Nesbitt admitted that the UUP currently "looks like what has happened is a badly split party."
Second Time as Leader (2024–Present)
Nesbitt will officially become leader at a special meeting of the party on September 14. He will be the first person to lead the UUP twice. However, on September 9, 2024, this meeting was canceled.
Nesbitt will give his first speech as the new UUP leader remotely. This is because he has not recovered from COVID-19 in time to attend the party's annual conference in person.
Mike Nesbitt's Personal Life
Mike Nesbitt was born in Belfast. He went to Campbell College, Belfast and then studied at Jesus College, Cambridge. He also studied at Queen's University Belfast.
After leaving broadcasting, Nesbitt and his second wife, Lynda Bryans, started their own media company. Before working at UTV, Nesbitt also worked for a public relations company. Mike Nesbitt has four children.
