George Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)
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 |
| 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 |
George Robinson MBE (born 30 May 1941) is a 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 to Limavady Borough Council in 1985, where he served for nearly 30 years before stepping down in 2013.
Life and career
Robinson 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 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 2004, he suffered a serious heart attack and subsequently underwent a double heart bypass.[1]
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
- ^ 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.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Tunney, Liam (17 March 2022). "Veteran County Derry politician announces retirement". Derry Now. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
External links
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- 1941 births
- Living people
- Members of Limavady Borough Council
- Democratic Unionist Party MLAs
- Northern Ireland MLAs 2003–2007
- Northern Ireland MLAs 2007–2011
- Northern Ireland MLAs 2011–2016
- Northern Ireland MLAs 2016–2017
- Northern Ireland MLAs 2017–2022
- Mayors of places in Northern Ireland
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Northern Ireland Assembly member stubs