Michael Copeland (born 23 June 1954) is a former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician, who was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Belfast from 2003 to 2007, and then from 2010 to 2015.
Michael Copeland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast East | |
| In office 5 May 2010 – 7 September 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Reg Empey |
| Succeeded by | Andy Allen |
| In office 26 November 2003 – 7 March 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Ian Adamson |
| Succeeded by | Wallace Browne |
| Deputy mayor of Castlereagh | |
| In office 2002–2003 | |
| Member of Castlereagh Borough Council | |
| In office 7 June 2001 – 22 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Alan Carson |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Castlereagh Central |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 June 1954 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Children | Sarah and Matthew |
| Residence(s) | Cherryvalley, Belfast |
| Alma mater | Sandhurst |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Military Officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Ulster Defence Regiment |
| Battles/wars | The Troubles |
Copeland was born in Belfast and was educated at Lisnasharragh Primary School, Lisnasharragh Secondary School, Castlereagh College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst becoming a lieutenant of the Ulster Defence Regiment, HM Armed Forces.
Political career
editCopeland was first elected to Castlereagh Borough Council in 2001 and in May 2002 was elected Deputy Mayor of Castlereagh.
In 2002, he was elected chairman of Castlereagh District Policing Partnership. He later resigned in protest at the treatment of the RUC full-time Reserve. He also served as Director of Castlereagh Local Strategy Partnership.
After defeating incumbent MLA Ian Adamson for the East Belfast UUP nomination for the 2003 Assembly Election he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He was re-selected to stand for the constituency in the elections in 2007 but lost his seat. Copeland remains an extremely active figure in local governmental politics within Northern Ireland: maintaining a keen interest in domestic, socioeconomic and housing problems. He was re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly as MLA for East Belfast in the Assembly Elections in May 2011.
A member of the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution, Copeland has served as the party's Parades spokesman.
He stepped down from the Assembly for health reasons was replaced by Andy Allen.[1][2]
Views
editCopeland has spoken in favour of same-sex marriage, saying he "backed the change."[3]
Personal
editHis wife Sonia was elected to Belfast City Council in the 2014 Northern Ireland local elections.[4] She represents the Titanic ward. They have two children and he is a member of the Church of Ireland.
References
edit- ^ "UUP MLA Michael Copeland resigns due to depression". BBC News. 7 September 2015.
- ^ "Andy Allen is co-opted as Ulster Unionist MLA for East Belfast". BBC News. 15 September 2015.
- ^ McBride, Sam. "Maginnis blasts UUP colleague in gay row". News Letter. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ^ "Shame on her: Furious ex-mayor Gavin Robinson blasts rival Naomi Long". Belfast Telegraph.