David Simpson (UK politician)

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David Simpson MP
Spokesman for Trade and Industry
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 June 2008
Leader Peter Robinson
Member of Parliament
for Upper Bann
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 May 2005
Preceded by David Trimble
Majority 3,361 (8.1%)
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Upper Bann
In office
26 November 2003 – 1 July 2010
Preceded by Mervyn Carrick
Succeeded by Sydney Anderson
Personal details
Born 16 February 1959 (1959-02-16) (age 53)
Moy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Nationality British
Political party Democratic Unionist
Spouse(s) Elaine Simpson
Children 3
Residence Portadown, County Armagh
Alma mater Belfast Metropolitan College
Religion Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster (Free Presbyterian)
Website David Simpson MP

Thomas David Simpson (born 16 February 1959) is a Democratic Unionist politician and proponent of intelligent design[1] in the United Kingdom.

Contents

[edit] Early life

He went to Birches Primary School on Clonmacate Road then Killicomaine High School on Upper Church Lane in Portadown, County Armagh. He then studied at the College of Business Studies (now called Belfast Metropolitan College) in Belfast. Although having no political training, he has been a successful politician for many years.

He then worked in the food manufacturing industry, specifically Universal Meat Company in Portadown.

[edit] Parliamentary career

He has been the Member of Parliament for Upper Bann since the 2005 general election when he defeated Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble.

He was, until 2010, also a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the same seat (resigning after being returned to Westminster in the 2010 general election[2] and a former Mayor of Craigavon Borough Council which lies within the constituency.

[edit] Anti-scientific stance

In addition to being a proponent of creationism, he is a supporter of homeopathy, having signed several early day motion in support of its continued funding on the National Health Service sponsored by Conservative MP David Tredinnick.[3]

[edit] Other Political Achievements

  • Negotiated fundamental changes to the failed Belfast Agreement.
  • Made it a requirement that no party can get into government without prior full, verifiable, witnessed and transparent decommissioning and an end to all paramilitary and criminal activity.
  • Negotiated a testing period in which republican good faith could be proved (this would have caught the Northern Bank robbery and barred SF/IRA from government)
  • Ensured proper ministerial accountability.
  • Established the principle that policing and justice powers could not be devolved until unionists were satisfied.
  • Secured a Victims' Commissioner
  • Achieved de-rating of Orange Halls.
  • Achieved an efficiency review of all aspects of government to investigate savings for the tax payer.

[edit] Personal life

He is married with a son and two daughters, and lives in Portadown. He is also involved in youth work and drugs rehabilitation programmes. He is also known to enjoy Gopsel Singing, to which he partakes. He is Chairman of the Upper Bann Constituency Association and is Deputy Master Loughgall District Loyal Orange Order.

[edit] Election history

[edit] Westminster Elections

General Election 2010: Upper Bann[4][5][6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Unionist David Simpson 14,000 33.8 -3.8
Conservatives and Unionists Harry Hamilton 10,639 25.7 +0.2
Sinn Féin John O'Dowd 10,237 24.7 +3.7
SDLP Dolores Kelly 5,276 12.8 -0.2
Alliance Brendan Heading 1,231 3.0 +0.8
Majority 3,361 8.1
Turnout 41,383 55.3
Democratic Unionist hold Swing
General Election 2005: Upper Bann[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Unionist David Simpson 16,679 37.6 +8.1
Ulster Unionist David Trimble 11,281 25.5 -8.0
Sinn Féin John O'Dowd 9,305 21.0 -0.1
SDLP Dolores Kelly 5,747 13.0 -1.9
Alliance Alan Castle 955 2.2 +2.2
Workers' Party Tom French 355 0.8 -0.2
Majority 5,398 12.2
Turnout 44,322 61.2 -9.1
Democratic Unionist gain from Ulster Unionist Swing +8.1
General Election 2001: Upper Bann[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist David Trimble 17,095 33.5 -10.1
Democratic Unionist David Simpson 15,037 29.5 +18.0
Sinn Féin Dara O'Hagan 10,771 21.1 +9.0
SDLP Dolores Kelly 7,607 14.9 -9.3
Workers' Party Tom French 527 1.0 -0.1
Majority 2,058 4.0
Turnout 51,037 70.3 +2.4
Ulster Unionist hold Swing


[edit] Northern Ireland Assembly Elections

Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007
Party Candidate 1st Pref Result Count
Sinn Féin John O'Dowd 7,733 Elected 1
Democratic Unionist David Simpson 6,828 Elected 1
Ulster Unionist Sam Gardiner 5,135 Elected 9
SDLP Dolores Kelly 4,689 Elected 8
Democratic Unionist Stephen Moutray 3,663 Elected 11
Sinn Féin Dessie Ward 3,118 Not elected 12
Democratic Unionist John McCrum 2,975 Not elected 10
Ulster Unionist George Savage 2,167 Elected 12
Ulster Unionist Arnold Hatch 1,815 Not elected 8
Independent (Unionist) Davy Calvert 1,332 Not elected 7
Green (NI) Helen Corry 1,156 Not elected 7
Alliance Sheila McQuaid 798 Not elected 5
SDLP Patrick McAleenan 761 Not elected 4
(Republican Sinn Féin) Barry Toman 386 Not elected 3
Conservative David Fry 248 Not elected 3
Independent (Unionist) Suzanne Peeples 78 Not elected 3
Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2003
Party Candidate 1st Pref Result Count
Ulster Unionist David Trimble 9,158 Elected 1
Democratic Unionist David Simpson 5,933 Elected 5
Sinn Féin John O'Dowd 5,524 Elected 11
Democratic Unionist Stephen Moutray 4,697 Elected 6
Sinn Féin Dara O'Hagan 3,970 Not elected
SDLP Dolores Kelly 3,661 Elected 11
SDLP Kieran Corr 3,157 Not elected
Ulster Unionist Sam Gardiner 2,359 Elected 9
Democratic Unionist Denis Watson 1,770 Not elected
Ulster Unionist George Savage 1,269 Not elected
Independent David Jones 585 Not elected
Independent Sidney Anderson 581 Not elected
Alliance Francis McQuaid 571 Not elected
Workers' Party Tom French 247 Not elected

[edit] References

General
Specific
  1. ^ Lesley-Anne Henry (2007-09-26). "Tussle of Biblical proportions over creationism in Ulster classrooms – Education – News – Belfast Telegraph". Belfast Telegraph. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/tussle-of-biblical-proportions-over-creationism-in-ulster-classrooms-13479246.html. Retrieved 2009-04-26. 
  2. ^ NI Assembly membersip, note 13
  3. ^ Tredinnick, David (2010-06-29). "Early Day Motion No. 284 British Medical Association Motions on Homeopathy". http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41216&SESSION=905. 
  4. ^ Statement of Persons Nominated Electoral Office for Northern Ireland
  5. ^ General Election 2010 – Upper Bann BBC News
  6. ^ a b c Upper Bann ARK – Access Research Knowledge
Political offices
Preceded by
Ignatius Fox		 Mayor of Craigavon
2004–2005		 Succeeded by
George Savage
Northern Ireland Assembly
Preceded by
Mervyn Carrick		 MLA for Upper Bann
2003–2010		 Succeeded by
Sidney Anderson
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
David Trimble		 Member of Parliament for Upper Bann
2005–		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Parliamentarians of Northern Ireland
UK Parliament
European Parliament
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