William Humphrey (Northern Ireland politician)
William Joseph Humphrey MBE (born 17 October 1967) is a Unionist politician from Northern Ireland representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Humphrey was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for North Belfast from 2010 to 2022, replacing Nigel Dodds.
William Humphrey | |
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Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast North | |
In office 14 September 2010 – 28 March 2022 | |
Preceded by | Nigel Dodds |
Succeeded by | Brian Kingston |
Personal details | |
Born | [1] Belfast, Northern Ireland | October 17, 1967
Nationality | British |
Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
Occupation | Politician |
Born in the Woodvale area of Belfast, Humphrey studied at the Boys' Model School. A member of the Woodvale Residents' Association, he joined the Democratic Unionist Party, becoming its chairman in North Belfast, and a member of the party's executive.[2]
He was elected to Belfast City Council in the Court district at the 2005 Northern Ireland local elections,[3] then served as High Sheriff of Belfast in 2006.[4]
At the 2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Humphrey stood in North Belfast, but was not elected.[5] He moved to contest West Belfast at the UK general election, 2010, but took only 7.6% of the votes cast.[6] In June, he became Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast,[7]
In September 2010, he was selected to replace Nigel Dodds in the Northern Ireland Assembly, representing North Belfast[2] and was elected at the 2011 Assembly election. Referencing his predecessor, Humphrey said, "Nigel has a proven track record of dedicated hard work on the ground, making a difference in peoples' lives within the Constituency...That will be the record I will strive to emulate."[8]
Humphrey was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 New Year Honours for public service, particularly during the COVID-19 response.[9]
In 2022, Humphrey announced that he would not contest the 2022 Assembly election.[10]
References
- Profile, niassembly.gov.uk; accessed 28 July 2016./
- "Humphrey chosen to replace Dodds", Belfast Telegraph, 14 September 2010
- Belfast City Council Elections 1993-2005, Northern Ireland Elections
- New High Sheriff of Belfast to be sworn in, Belfast City Council
- North Belfast, Northern Ireland Elections
- West Belfast profile, Northern Ireland Elections website; accessed 28 July 2016.
- Deputy Lord Mayor profile, Belfast City Council website; accessed 28 July 2016.
- "BBC News - Humphrey chosen as Dodds North Belfast successor". BBC News. BBC News. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- "No. 63218". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2020. p. N20.
- "DUP's William Humphrey announces he will not contest upcoming Stormont election". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 April 2022.