Paula Bradley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paula Bradley
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Bradley in 2021
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| Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party | |
| In office 28 May 2021 – 9 June 2023 |
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| Leader | Edwin Poots Jeffrey Donaldson |
| Preceded by | Nigel Dodds |
| Succeeded by | Gavin Robinson |
| Member of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council | |
| Assumed office 31 May 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Phillip Brett |
| Constituency | Glengormley Urban |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast North |
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| In office 5 May 2011 – 28 March 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Fred Cobain |
| Succeeded by | Phillip Brett |
| Member of Newtownabbey Borough Council | |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 22 May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Arthur Templeton |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Antrim Line |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 June 1969 Carnmoney, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Robert Bradley (div. 1996) |
| Children | 2 |
| Profession | Police officer, social worker |
Paula Bradley, born on June 23, 1969, is a politician from Northern Ireland. She was the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from May 2021 to June 2023. She also serves as a Councillor for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in the Glengormley Urban area since 2022. Before that, she was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Belfast North from 2011 to 2022. She also held the role of Deputy Mayor of Newtownabbey Borough Council from 2009 to 2010.
Political Journey
Paula Bradley began her political career in 2005. She was first elected to the Newtownabbey Council. She represented the Antrim Line area.
She served as Deputy Mayor of Newtownabbey from 2009 to 2010. In June 2010, she was elected Mayor. Outside of politics, she worked as a social worker at Antrim Area Hospital.
In 2011, Paula was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. She became an MLA for Belfast North. At the same time, she also kept her seat on the local council.
Becoming Deputy Leader
On May 14, 2021, Paula Bradley was chosen as the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. She officially took office on May 28, 2021. This made her the first woman to hold this important position in the party.
In July 2021, Paula Bradley spoke about comments made by some of her party colleagues. She said she was sorry for any hurtful things that had been said in the past. She felt that some language used was not appropriate.
Stepping Down from the Assembly
On March 17, 2022, Paula Bradley announced she would not run for re-election in the 2022 Assembly election. She had previously planned to run again. She explained her decision to BBC News NI. She wanted to spend more time caring for her mother, Charlotte, who had health issues. Paula said, "My mum needs me more and I have decided to prioritize her over my political career." She added that her mother had sacrificed a lot for her.
In May 2022, after leaving the Assembly, she joined the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. She became a representative for Glengormley Urban. She took over from Phillip Brett, who then became the new MLA for North Belfast. Paula Bradley was re-elected to the council in the 2023 local elections.
