Mike Nesbitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Nesbitt
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nesbitt in 2022
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 28 September 2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Robbie Butler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Doug Beattie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 31 March 2012 – 8 April 2017 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | John McCallister Robin Swann |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Tom Elliott | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Robin Swann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Health | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 28 May 2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Minister | Michelle O'Neill | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Robin Swann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 5 May 2011 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Simpson Gibson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assembly Private Secretary to the Health Minister | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 21 April 2024 – 28 May 2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister of Health | Robin Swann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson for the Economy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 25 May 2021 – 28 May 2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader | Doug Beattie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Colin Crawford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissioner for Victims and Survivors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 2008 – 17 February 2010 Serving with Patricia McBride, Brendan McAllister and Bertha McDougall
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Position established (Bertha McDougall as sole interim Commissioner) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Kathryn Stone (2012) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 11 May 1957 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Unknown
(before 1990)Lynda Bryans
(m. 1992; sep 2020) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Jesus College, Cambridge Queen's University Belfast |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Politician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profession | Journalist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Known for | Television Presenter Leader of the UUP |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Nesbitt, born on May 11, 1957, is a politician from Northern Ireland. He used to work as a broadcaster. Currently, he is the Minister of Health since May 28, 2024.
He is also the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). He became leader on August 30, 2024, after winning the leadership election. He had also been the leader before, from 2012 to 2017. Nesbitt has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Strangford since 2011.
Before becoming Health Minister, Nesbitt was the UUP's spokesperson for the Economy. He also worked as a private secretary to the Health Minister, Robin Swann. This helped prepare him to take over the role.
Contents
Mike Nesbitt's Broadcasting Career
Mike Nesbitt started his career as a sports reporter at BBC Northern Ireland. From 1986 to 1990, he presented Good Morning Ulster on BBC Radio Ulster. In 1992, Nesbitt joined UTV as a presenter and reporter. His wife, Lynda Bryans, joined him in 1996 to co-present the evening news show UTV Live.
They also co-presented a religious series called Sunday Morning from 1999 to 2001. They hosted two series of a home and garden show called Home Sweet Home for UTV. In 2006, Nesbitt decided not to continue his presenting contract with UTV. His last UTV Live show was on February 10, 2006.
Mike Nesbitt's Political Journey
Early Political Roles
In January 2008, Nesbitt became a Commissioner for Victims and Survivors. This role in the Northern Ireland Assembly helps people affected by the Troubles. He left this job on February 17, 2010. He then ran for election in Strangford but did not win.
In the 2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Nesbitt was elected as an MLA for Strangford. He is seen as a more open-minded unionist. He supported same-sex marriage in 2017, even though he had been against it before. Some people compare him to Terence O'Neill, a former Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.
In May 2020, Nesbitt resigned from an Assembly committee. This happened after he admitted breaking rules during the COVID-19 lockdown. He also announced that he had separated from his wife in January 2020. From July 2020 until 2024, Nesbitt was the UUP representative on the NI Policing Board.
Health Minister Role
In 2024, Nesbitt became the private secretary to the Health Minister, Robin Swann. He then took over from Swann as Health Minister on May 28, 2024. When he was appointed, Nesbitt said being Health Minister was "the political honour" and "ultimate political challenge" of his life.
Health Minister: May 2024
On May 29, 2024, Nesbitt stated he would not make "catastrophic cuts" to health services. He promised to make tough decisions for the next three years. He visited L'Arche Village in Belfast and attended an awards ceremony. Nesbitt said he would support both patients and healthcare staff. He welcomed more people supporting organ donation after a new law started on May 31, 2024.
Health Minister: June 2024
On June 3, 2024, Nesbitt gave his first speech as Health Minister to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He talked about the dangers of UV exposure on June 5, 2024. He visited a school to teach about sun safety. On June 12, 2024, Nesbitt said a report on health differences was important for everyone. He congratulated Health and Social Care staff honored on June 14, 2024. On June 25, 2024, Nesbitt welcomed new guidelines for cystic fibrosis drugs. He praised local health services on June 26, 2024. Northern Ireland was the first UK region to have all its imaging services approved. On June 28, 2024, Nesbitt praised a family-run doctor's office in South Armagh.
Health Minister: July 2024
On July 1, 2024, Nesbitt welcomed extra money for the Department of Health. However, he noted there was still a "significant shortfall" in the budget. On July 9, 2024, Nesbitt announced that funding for community groups would continue. He confirmed £1.8 million would be given out. He also announced £200,000 to help people with mental health difficulties. Nesbitt shared plans for the next six months on July 10, 2024. He said fixing health differences must be a "priority" for the government. On July 11, 2024, Nesbitt visited Altnagelvin Hospital. He met staff and toured the hospital. Nesbitt welcomed social care reports on July 18, 2024. He said improving adult social care helps more than just hospitals. On July 19, 2024, Nesbitt welcomed a decision by the BMA NI. They recommended a pay offer for consultants. Nesbitt visited the Western Trust Elective Overnight Stay Centre on July 24, 2024. He highlighted how these centers help reduce long waiting lists.
Health Minister: August 2024
On August 1, 2024, Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long launched a new plan. It helps people get access to special community services. On August 21, 2024, Nesbitt appointed Northern Ireland's first independent Autism Reviewer. Nesbitt welcomed the BMA Northern Ireland's acceptance of a pay offer on August 23, 2024. On August 27, 2024, Nesbitt extended Professor Siobhan O’Neill's role. She is the Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland. Nesbitt recognized the important work of staff from other countries in Health and Social Care on August 29, 2024.
Health Minister: September 2024
On September 11, 2024, Nesbitt launched a new plan for the health and well-being of staff. This plan is for those working in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
First Term as Leader (2012–2017)
Mike Nesbitt was elected as the UUP party leader on March 31, 2012. He won against John McCallister with 536 votes to 129. Nesbitt said he wanted the UUP to be the top choice for all pro-union voters 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 main parties.
Nesbitt tried to show a type of unionism that was more open to Irish culture. For example, he visited the Gaeltacht Quarter. This was to change the idea that his party was against the Irish language. After the 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Nesbitt decided to 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. UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler supported him. Nesbitt remained Health Minister when he took on the leadership role. On August 30, 2024, he was the only person nominated for the position. Nesbitt became the leader of the UUP on September 14, 2024. He is the first person to lead the UUP twice. Nesbitt delivered his first speech as the new UUP leader remotely. He was recovering from COVID-19 and could not attend the party's annual conference in person.
In July 2025, Nesbitt said he might step down as UUP leader before the next Northern Ireland Assembly election. He expects to make a decision by January 2026.
Mike Nesbitt's Personal Life
Nesbitt was born in Belfast. He went to Campbell College, Belfast and 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. Nesbitt has four children.
