Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Robinson
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Robinson in 2011
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| First Minister of Northern Ireland | |
| In office 5 June 2008 – 11 January 2016 Serving with Martin McGuinness
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| Preceded by | Ian Paisley |
| Succeeded by | Arlene Foster |
| Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party | |
| In office 31 May 2008 – 17 December 2015 |
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| Deputy | Nigel Dodds |
| Preceded by | Ian Paisley |
| Succeeded by | Arlene Foster |
| Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in the House of Commons | |
| In office 31 May 2008 – 6 May 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Ian Paisley |
| Succeeded by | Nigel Dodds |
| Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party | |
| In office 31 May 1980 – 31 May 2008 |
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| Leader | Ian Paisley |
| Preceded by | William Beattie |
| Succeeded by | Nigel Dodds |
| Minister of Finance and Personnel | |
| In office 8 May 2007 – 5 June 2008 |
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| First Minister | Ian Paisley |
| Preceded by | Sean Farren |
| Succeeded by | Nigel Dodds |
| Minister for Regional Development | |
| In office 24 October 2001 – 11 October 2002 |
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| First Minister | David Trimble |
| Preceded by | Gregory Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Conor Murphy |
| In office 29 November 1999 – 27 July 2000 |
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| First Minister | David Trimble |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Gregory Campbell |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast East |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 7 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Joanne Bunting |
| In office 20 October 1982 – 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Assembly re-established |
| Succeeded by | Assembly abolished |
| Member of Parliament for Belfast East |
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| In office 3 May 1979 – 12 April 2010 |
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| Preceded by | William Craig |
| Succeeded by | Naomi Long |
| Member of Castlereagh Borough Council |
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| In office 15 May 1985 – 2 January 2007 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Carole Howard |
| Constituency | Castlereagh Central |
| In office 18 May 1977 – 15 May 1985 |
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| Preceded by | C.R. Beacon |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Castlereagh Area C |
| Northern Ireland Forum Member for Belfast East |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Forum created |
| Succeeded by | Forum dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter David Robinson
29 December 1948 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Castlereagh College |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Peter Robinson |
| Arlene Foster served as Acting FM from 11 January 2010 to 3 February 2010 and 10 September 2015 to 20 October 2015. Robinson served alongside John O'Dowd in his capacity as Acting dFM from 20 September 2011 to 31 October 2011. | |
Peter David Robinson (born 29 December 1948) is a retired politician from Northern Ireland. He was the First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2008 to 2016. He also led the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from 2008 to 2015.
Robinson was involved in Northern Irish politics for over 40 years. He was one of the people who helped start the DUP. He worked closely with Ian Paisley, who was the first leader of the DUP.
From 1975 to 1979, Robinson was the General Secretary of the DUP. This role gave him a lot of influence in the new party. In 1977, he became a local councillor for Castlereagh Borough Council. In 1979, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Belfast East. He was one of the youngest MPs at the time. He held this seat for 31 years.
In 1980, Robinson became the deputy leader of the DUP. After the Good Friday Agreement brought back local government to Northern Ireland, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Belfast East in 1998. He later served as a minister in the Northern Ireland government. He became the leader of the DUP in 2008. Then, on 5 June 2008, he became the First Minister of Northern Ireland.
In January 2010, Robinson briefly stepped down as First Minister. This was to allow an investigation into some claims. Arlene Foster took over his duties temporarily. After a police investigation, it was decided that Robinson would not be charged. He then returned to his role as First Minister. An official report also cleared him of any wrongdoing.
In September 2015, Robinson again stepped aside for a short time. This was due to a political disagreement. Arlene Foster became acting First Minister. He returned to his duties on 20 October 2015. On 19 November 2015, he announced he would leave his roles. He officially stepped down as First Minister on 11 January 2016. He has now fully retired from politics.
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Early Life and Education
Peter David Robinson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 29 December 1948. His parents were Sheila and David McCrea Robinson.
He went to Annadale Grammar School and Castlereagh College. This college is now part of the Belfast Metropolitan College. In 1966, Robinson heard Ian Paisley speak. Soon after, he became very involved in politics. He first worked as an estate agent. In 1975, he became the first General Secretary of the DUP.
Political Journey
Joining the DUP
By 1970, Peter Robinson had caught the attention of Ian Paisley. He wrote a pamphlet called The North Answers Back. This writing supported the Stormont government. Robinson became chairman of a local branch of the Protestant Unionist Party. This party was a forerunner to the DUP.
In 1971, Robinson was one of the people who founded the DUP. He was the General Secretary of the DUP from 1975 to 1979. He was also active in the 1974 Ulster Workers' Council strike. This strike was against the Sunningdale Agreement.
On 18 May 1977, Robinson was elected as a councillor for Castlereagh Borough Council. He held this position until 2007.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In the 1979 United Kingdom general election, Robinson ran for the DUP in Belfast East. He won the seat by a small margin. He defeated the sitting MP, William Craig.
He was re-elected to the House of Commons several times. These elections were in 1983, 1986, 1987, 1992, 2001, and 2005. In the 2010 United Kingdom general election, he lost his seat to Naomi Long.
In 2001, his wife, Iris, also became an MP. She represented the Strangford area.
Leading the Democratic Unionist Party
Robinson's political success continued. In 1980, he was elected Deputy Leader of the DUP. He was also elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast East in 1982. He served there until 1986.
He was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996. This forum worked until 1998. On 25 June 1998, he became an MLA for Belfast East. He was re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2003 and 2007.
Robinson served as Minister for Regional Development. This role involved overseeing regional development. He held this position from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2001 to 2002. He helped create a 25-year plan for Northern Ireland's development. He also introduced free public transport for the elderly.
From 2007 to 2008, Robinson was Minister of Finance and Personnel. This role involved managing Northern Ireland's money.
On 4 March 2008, Ian Paisley announced he would step down. Robinson was then chosen to lead the DUP. He officially became leader on 31 May 2008.
Serving as First Minister
As the leader of the largest party, Robinson became First Minister. He was confirmed in this role on 5 June 2008. He served alongside Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, who was the deputy First Minister.
On 11 January 2010, Robinson temporarily stepped down. This was due to claims made by the BBC. Arlene Foster took over his duties. After an investigation, he returned to his role.
On 5 February 2010, Robinson and McGuinness worked together. They transferred policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly. This was a big step for local government in Northern Ireland.
In the 2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election, the DUP gained more seats. Robinson led the DUP to its best election result ever. He and McGuinness began their second term as First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
In 2012, Robinson was part of a historic event. Queen Elizabeth II visited Northern Ireland. She shook hands with Martin McGuinness. Robinson supported this event. He said it was a "significant step for republicans."
On 19 November 2015, Robinson announced his retirement. He said he would step down as First Minister and DUP leader. He did not run in the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election.
Personal Life
Peter Robinson married Iris Collins on 26 July 1970. They have three children: Jonathan, Gareth, and Rebekah.
His wife, Iris, also became a councillor, MLA, and MP. Their son, Gareth, was also a councillor. Peter and Iris were the first husband and wife to represent Northern Ireland in Parliament. Their daughter, Rebekah, worked as his private secretary.
He supports the football teams Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur. He also likes his local Belfast team, Glentoran.
Robinson is a Christian. He attends the Assemblies of God church. He has written several books and pamphlets. These cover local politics and history.
In May 2015, he had a suspected heart attack. He was admitted to the hospital.
See also
- Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
- List of Northern Ireland members of the Privy Council
