Norman Laird facts for kids
Norman Laird (born in 1906, died on April 28, 1970) was a medical doctor who also became a politician in Northern Ireland. He was known as a unionist, which means he supported Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom.
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Norman Laird's Early Life and Education
Norman Laird was born in 1906. He went to school at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. After that, he continued his studies at the Queen's University of Belfast. He worked hard and became a medical doctor.
Joining the Ulster Unionist Party
Dr. Laird was very interested in politics. He decided to join the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). This party is one of the main political groups in Northern Ireland. It supports Northern Ireland's connection to the United Kingdom.
He became an important member of the party. From 1948 to 1969, he was the leader of the party's branch in the St Anne's area. In 1961, he received a special award called an OBE. This award is given to people who have done great things for their community or country.
Norman Laird's Political Career
In 1969, Norman Laird ran for election. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Belfast St Anne's area. He won his seat in the 1969 Northern Ireland general election. This meant he represented the people of his area in the Northern Ireland Parliament.
A Difficult Time in Politics
In March 1970, something important happened. Norman Laird and four other MPs from his party faced a tough decision. They chose not to support the government during a very important vote. This vote was called a "vote of no confidence." When politicians vote "no confidence," it means they no longer trust the government to do its job.
Because they did not support the government, Norman Laird and the other four MPs were asked to leave the Ulster Unionist parliamentary party. This was a challenging time for him in his political life.
His Passing and Legacy
Sadly, Norman Laird passed away the very next month, in April 1970. After his death, a special election was held to fill his seat in Parliament. His son, John Laird, ran in this election and won. This meant his son continued the family's involvement in politics.
