Nelson McCausland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nelson McCausland
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| Minister for Social Development | |
| In office 16 May 2011 – 23 September 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Alex Attwood |
| Succeeded by | Mervyn Storey |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast North |
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| In office 26 November 2003 – 25 January 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Fraser Agnew |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| High Sheriff of Belfast | |
| In office 1997–1998 |
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| Preceded by | Steve McBride |
| Succeeded by | Jim Clarke |
| Member of Belfast City Council | |
| In office 7 June 2001 – 1 November 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Fred Proctor |
| Succeeded by | Gareth McKee |
| Constituency | Oldpark |
| In office 17 May 1989 – 7 June 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Alfred Redpath |
| Succeeded by | Ian Crozier |
| Constituency | Castle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 August 1951 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party (2001 – present) Ulster Unionist Party (1993 – 2001) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent Unionist (1984 – 1993) United Ulster Unionist (1982) |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast Worcester College, Oxford |
| Profession | Teacher |
| Website | DUP website |
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Nelson McCausland (born 15 August 1951) is a writer and former politician from Northern Ireland. He was a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
He served as a government minister in Northern Ireland. From 2009 to 2011, he was the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. After that, he became the Minister for Social Development, serving from 2011 to 2014.
McCausland was also a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA). He represented the North Belfast area from 2003 until 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Nelson McCausland was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He went to Carr's Glen Primary School. Later, he attended Belfast Royal Academy.
He continued his studies at Worcester College, Oxford in England. He also studied at Queen's University in Belfast.
Political Career
Nelson McCausland started his career as a science teacher. He taught at Ballygomartin Boys Secondary School from 1973 to 1981. This school later became Cairnmartin Secondary School.
After teaching, he worked for the Lord's Day Observance Society. This is a Christian group, and he was their Northern Ireland Secretary.
First Steps in Politics
McCausland first tried to become a politician in 1982. He ran in the Assembly elections for the United Ulster Unionist Party (UUUP). He stood for the North Belfast area. However, he did not win enough votes. The UUUP party later stopped operating.
He then ran as an Independent Unionist. This means he was not part of a major party. In 1984, he tried to get elected to the Belfast City Council. He ran in a special election for the Belfast Area H. He received 9% of the votes. The next year, in 1985, he tried again for the Oldpark area. He got 5% of the votes.
Becoming a Councillor
McCausland finally won an election in 1989. He was elected to the Belfast City Council for the Castle area. He took the seat from Alfie Redpath. Around this time, he was briefly part of the Ulster Independence Committee.
He was re-elected in 1993 as an Independent Unionist. A week after that election, he joined the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). In 1997, he became the High Sheriff of Belfast. This is an old ceremonial role in the city.
Joining the DUP
In 2001, Nelson McCausland left the UUP. He joined the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He was re-elected as a local councillor for the Oldpark area in 2001 and 2005.
He represented the Belfast City Council on the boards of the Ulster Museum and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. He also served on the Community Relations Council for several years. He stopped being a councillor in November 2010.
Member of the Assembly
McCausland was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) from 2003 to 2017. During his time, he was temporarily suspended twice. This happened because of comments he made that were considered inappropriate for the Assembly.
He was also a member of the Bill of Rights Forum. This group was set up to give advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The forum included members from different political parties and community groups. They shared their report in 2008.
Nelson McCausland writes a weekly column for the Belfast Telegraph newspaper. He also has a personal blog called Nelson's View.
Community Involvement
McCausland was the chairman of The Ulster-Scots Heritage Council (USHC) when it started in 1995. From 1997 until he was elected to the Assembly in 2003, he was the director of the USHC.
As a DUP spokesperson, he focused on culture, arts, and leisure. He was also the chairman of the Assembly's Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee. He has a strong interest in these areas.
He is a member of several community groups, including Cross of Saint Patrick LOL 688 and Royal Black Knights of Patrick RBP 146. For some years, he led the Education Committee of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. He also served as the Northern Ireland Secretary of the Lord's Day Observance Society from 1981 to 1992.
Published Work
Nelson McCausland has written a book:
- Patrick, Apostle of Ulster: A Protestant View of Patrick. Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland; ISBN: 978-0-9501444-5-0
