William McCrea, Baron McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown
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Official portrait, 2022
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 19 June 2018 Life peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for South Antrim |
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| In office 5 May 2005 – 30 March 2015 |
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| Preceded by | David Burnside |
| Succeeded by | Danny Kinahan |
| In office 21 September 2000 – 14 May 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Clifford Forsythe |
| Succeeded by | David Burnside |
| Member of Parliament for Mid Ulster |
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| In office 9 June 1983 – 8 April 1997 |
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| Preceded by | John Dunlop |
| Succeeded by | Martin McGuinness |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Antrim |
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| In office 7 March 2007 – 1 July 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Girvan |
| Succeeded by | Paul Girvan |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Mid-Ulster |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 30 January 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Ian McCrea |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 August 1948 Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Children | 5 (including Ian McCrea) |
| Residences | Magherafelt, County Londonderry |
| Alma mater | Ravenhill Theological Hall |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Minister |
| Website | William McCrea website |
Robert Thomas William McCrea, Baron McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (born 6 August 1948) is a politician from Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He is also a Christian singer and a retired minister from the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.
As a politician, he served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for different areas. He represented Mid Ulster from 1983 to 1997. Later, he represented South Antrim from 2000 to 2001, and again from 2005 to 2015.
McCrea was also a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA). He represented Mid Ulster in the Assembly from 1998 to 2007. After that, he represented South Antrim from 2007 to 2010.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Northern Ireland
Robert Thomas William McCrea was born in August 1948. He was the youngest of five children. His parents were Robert Thomas, a farmer, and Sarah Jayne. They lived in Stewartstown, Northern Ireland.
School and Early Career
He went to school in Magherafelt. For a short time, he worked in Social Security. This was part of the Civil Service of Northern Ireland. Later, he decided to train to become a minister. He studied at Ravenhill Theological Hall in Belfast.
Political Career and Public Service
Serving on the Local Council
McCrea was a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He served on the Magherafelt District Council. He was on the council from its start in 1973 until 2010. He stepped down to focus on his duties in the UK Parliament. He was very popular in local elections. He received the most votes in every local election he ran in from 1973 to 2005.
Time as a Member of Parliament (MP)
McCrea first became a Member of Parliament for Mid Ulster in 1983. He held this seat until 1997. In 1997, he lost the seat to Martin McGuinness.
He later won the South Antrim seat in a special election in 2000. This election happened after the death of the previous MP, Clifford Forsythe. However, he did not keep this seat in the 2001 election. He regained the South Antrim seat in the 2005 election. He held it through the 2010 election. He was defeated in the 2015 election.
Role in the Northern Ireland Assembly
In 1996, McCrea was chosen to be part of the Northern Ireland Forum. This was for the Mid-Ulster area. From 1998 to 2007, he was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Mid Ulster.
This meant he represented two different areas at the same time for a few years. He represented Mid Ulster and South Antrim from 2000 to 2001. He also did this from 2005 to 2007. In the 2007 election, he was elected as an MLA for South Antrim. He left the Assembly in 2010. This was after he returned to the UK Parliament in the general election that year.
Life as a Minister and Singer
Besides his political work, he is also a minister. He leads the Magherafelt Free Presbyterian Church. He is also known for his music. He has released many gospel albums.
Becoming a Lord
On 19 June 2018, William McCrea was given a special honor. He was made a life peer. This means he became a member of the House of Lords for life. He took the title Baron McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown. This title connects him to Magherafelt in County Londonderry and Cookstown in County Tyrone.
