George Robinson MBE (born 30 May 1941) is a former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician in Northern Ireland, who was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Londonderry from 2003 until 2022. He was previously a civil servant and was also elected as a Limavady Borough Councillor for the Limavady Town DEA in 1985, where he served for nearly 30 years, before stepping down in 2013.
George Robinson | |
|---|---|
 Robinson in 2021 | |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Londonderry, East | |
| In office 26 November 2003 – 28 March 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Pauline Armitage |
| Succeeded by | Alan Robinson |
| Mayor of Limavady | |
| In office 2002–2003 | |
| Succeeded by | Anne Brolly |
| Member of Limavady Borough Council | |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 4 December 2013 | |
| Preceded by | District established |
| Succeeded by | Edgar Scott |
| Constituency | Limavady Town |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 May 1941 Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse |
Ann Robinson (m. 1967) |
| Website | Robinson DUP |
Life and career
editRobinson was born in Limavady, County Londonderry to Joe, a soldier in both World War I and World War II, and Jane Robinson. George is the eldest of eight siblings; he has five brothers and two sisters. His father died of tuberculosis in 1964 and his mother at a "fairly young" age, leaving George to look after his siblings.[1]
He was educated at Limavady Technical College.[1] During the Troubles, he served in the army barracks.[1]
Robinson was first elected to Limavady Borough Council in the 1985 local elections, representing Limavady Town.
Robinson was elected Mayor of Limavady Borough Council in June 2002. Robinson welcomed a visit from the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, saying, "Last Tuesday and Wednesday were special days in Northern Ireland".[2]
In 2003, Robinson was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly as one of two DUP representatives for the East Londonderry constituency.
In 2004, he suffered a serious heart attack and subsequently underwent a double heart bypass.[1]
Robinson stood down as a councillor in December 2013, and was succeeded by Edgar Scott.
On 17 March 2022, citing his age as a factor,[3] Robinson announced that he would be retiring as an MLA at the 2022 Assembly election[4] In a statement, he said: "At the last election I contested in 2017 and at the ripe old age of 75 it was said by a Nationalist opponent; 'when will we ever get rid of Robinson?' Well, the time has now arrived for this Robinson to move on, only by virtue of retirement, but like Unionism across the Province, I bow out unbroken and I bow out undefeated."[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Deeney, Donna (8 January 2018). "DUP MLA George Robinson: 'Working in an Army barracks during the Troubles - every morning you checked to see where the bomb was or who was shot'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ "Coleraine times Robinson hails Queen's visit". Coleraine Times. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ "George Robinson: DUP MLA not standing in next election". 17 March 2022 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Leebody, Christopher (17 March 2022). "DUP MLA George Robinson announces retirement after 18 years in Stormont". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ Tunney, Liam (17 March 2022). "Veteran County Derry politician announces retirement". Derry Now. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
External links
edit
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