How did your political career start?

I’m known amongst friends as the ‘reluctant politician’ because I did not plan to work in politics. I studied nutrition at university and then attained an MBA whilst working in the private sector. I was approached by Naomi Long, a close friend, who encouraged me to run as an Alliance representative for Castlereagh council in 2005.

What motivates you in politics?

I joined Alliance because I believe in their values. Given that the cost of division in Northern Ireland is estimated to be around £1 billion per year, I’m sure I am not alone in believing that this money could be significantly better spent. Alliance has a very strong track record in making a positive difference in people’s lives through constituency work and I find this aspect of my role very rewarding.

What do you want to achieve in East Belfast by 2015?

I want to help bring more new employment opportunities to the area. East Belfast has a very proud tradition of playing a central role in the economy of Northern Ireland and I believe that the potential we have in relation to the Titanic Quarter, for example, is extremely exciting.

I have also been very involved in trying to address the lack of pre-school provision in East Belfast and I would hope that I can make further progress on this issue by 2015. I have also been campaigning to prevent cuts in library opening hours and I hope that I will have a positive outcome.

Other parties are now paying lip service to a shared future but what they mean is a ‘shared out’ future. I would like the Alliance vote to continue to increase in each election in East Belfast, as we are the only party that bases all of its policies on delivering a shared future for all. Alliance is working hard to tackle segregation and build a shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland, and I hope to help make strong progress on this issue by 2015.

What are Alliance’s prospects in the constituency after the DUP’s comeback?

I wouldn’t exactly say the DUP have had a comeback within East Belfast. They retained their three seats, while Alliance gained a seat in the recent Assembly elections.

Alliance also increased the number of councillors we have in the East Belfast area from five to eight.

I am confident that the positive, constructive politics that Alliance provides is resonating more and more strongly all the time with people in both East Belfast and the whole of Northern Ireland, and this has been demonstrated by our extremely good results in recent times.

What are Alliance’s prospects in the constituency after the DUP’s comeback?

I believe a shared future is possible, but that it won’t happen overnight and it is essential that everyone is strongly committed to maintaining good relations.

Much excellent community relations work is currently being done by elected representatives and community groups in the area and I am confident that we can deliver the shared future that is crucial for everyone.

I was delighted to be asked to be part of the Skainos Project by being part of the advisory panel which will shape how the new community space will be used.

The plans include around 120 integrated private and social housing apartments and a huge array of brand new, shared facilities. This impressive project will address issues such as employability and skills, community development and peace-building for the surrounding area.

What are your main priorities in social development and finance?

With welfare reform imminent, I want to ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect the most vulnerable. Our housing stock is severely under pressure so I would like to see a plan to ‘right-size’ allocations to ensure movement within the stock.

Fuel poverty is another major challenge that we need to address. I want to ensure that the department encourages and promotes significant energy efficiency measures and works to retain the winter fuel payments to protect our older people.

In the Finance and Personnel Committee I want to help scrutinise allocations to other government departments in order to deliver the best possible value for money for the services we deliver. I also want to bring the focus onto how we can make even more efficient use of our resources through tackling the duplication of services due to division in our society.

How do you relax?

In my limited free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I am a Girl Guide leader of the senior section and I play for Grosvenor Hockey Club. I have also recently been appointed to the board of the Youth Lyric which aims to provide excellence in performing arts training for young people from every background in Northern Ireland.

Briefly sum up your first year as MP.

This year has been a year of change and on my first couple of journeys to Westminster I felt slightly like a school boy in his first year of school. I have been so assured in my political career and this was certainly a new and very large step across the pond. However, I am in stride and the trips across the pond are frequent and rewarding.

I have spoken in over 110 debates since my election last May, have tabled motions on the fishing industry and support for armed forces as well as focusing on my health portfolio as DUP spokesman. I am a member of the Protection of Freedoms Bill Committee and am the only non-English member of the Health and Social Care Bill Committee, and have tabled amendments to the parts of the Bill which affect Northern Ireland.

I have taken great pleasure in my membership of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme and was asked to travel to Afghanistan where I met various constituents serving Queen and country in a country which I will never forget. I have been labelled by the English MPs as being assiduous and I will continue to be tenacious and free-speaking whilst representing the interests of Northern Ireland as a whole and Strangford in particular. My year was a good year, but I look forward to making even more changes for the better of Northern Ireland now that I am more familiar with the system in which I work.

How does the political atmosphere differ between Stormont and Westminster?

The difference is startling and tangible. I believe that a lot of it boils down to the difference in backgrounds of the MPs from all over the UK. The easy rapport that is evident in Stormont between the 108 MLAs, whereby you know everybody and they know you very quickly, is nowhere near the same in Westminster with 650 members. There is a very structured pecking order and it is only by determination that I have involved myself so completely in the workings of the House as it would be very easy for the smaller parties to be swallowed up. However, anyone who knows the DUP knows that we are good at being heard. The differences are vast – but not insurmountable.

Health is mainly devolved. How relevant is your post as spokesman to Northern Ireland?

As the only non-English member of the committee for NHS reform, I believe that I am playing an essential role in the ripple effect for health in Northern Ireland. Although healthcare is devolved to a large extent, as with most areas, Westminster has retained some aspects of control and indeed in the committee I liaised with various health care professionals from Northern Ireland and put forward vital amendments to the section which concerned Northern Ireland.

Had I not been in that position, Northern Ireland would have been greatly affected by the reforms. It must be remembered in politics that not all issues are brought through the front door and if we are to assume that health is devolved, we would find to our detriment that Westminster still has enough control to make a real difference to us on the ground in the province.

How relevant is Westminster to your constituency on an everyday basis?

The relevance and links between Westminster and the everyday life of Strangford is strong in a two-fold manner.

Firstly, it is clear that the decisions made in Westminster affect everyday life such as the proposals to change disability living allowance, to change tax credits, to change national insurance contributions – ask any constituent and one of these will apply. My job is to ensure to the best of my ability that these are not adversely affecting my constituents. In Strangford in particular we have a high level of military service, which is solely handled at Westminster and it is essential that I am there to represent all of those who are there to represent us on foreign fields.

The second matter is that with the House of Commons crest on my letters, there is certainly a more dedicated and efficient response from departments for the everyday issues that my constituents are struggling with and that I deal with, and this is undoubtedly relevant to my constituents.

What are your main interests outside politics?

I am a dedicated country sports enthusiast and thoroughly enjoy going shooting with my son when time allows. I have been blessed with a granddaughter Katie-Lee and any time spent with her is always joyful, as is the time spent in my church. Everyone knows that I am an avid Northern Ireland football supporter as well as a keen Ulster Scots enthusiast and I enjoy spending time reading about our history. However, my passion is for Strangford – not merely in a political sense but in helping the people who have placed their trust in me.

Where does your interest in politics come from?

My mother, Joanie, sowed the first seeds of my interest in politics many years ago. I joined the Ulster Unionist Party, taking an active role and holding a number of positions within the party. I was elected to serve on Craigavon Borough Council in the January 2010 by-election winning 64 per cent of the vote and, in May 2011, was elected as an MLA for Upper Bann.

What motivates you?

My son Mark had a successful kidney transplant two years ago and I dedicate much of my spare time (which is in short supply at the moment) to raising funds and awareness of the vital issue of organ donation. I am voluntary press officer for the Northern Ireland Kidney Patients Association (NIKPA) and was proud to host the launch of the British Transplant Games as my first event as an MLA at Stormont.

I have also taken an active role in the promotion of gender equality in politics by encouraging more women to participate in what has traditionally been a male- dominated arena.

I believe that when women step up, they can be successful in politics and make a positive contribution to making the political process work for all of us.

I believe in grassroots politics, working closely with people and representing their views and opinions.

People need to feel that their voice can be heard, that decisions are not just taken for them, but that they too can contribute to making Northern Ireland a better place for all of us.

What are the UUP’s main priorities for agriculture?

Agriculture remains a significant industry and employer in Northern Ireland with a direct workforce of some 48,000 people and an annual contribution of £304 million gross value added to the local economy.

The single biggest issue facing Northern Ireland’s farmers over the next number of years is the imminent reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. We must ensure that the United Kingdom puts forward a strong and collective argument in favour of retaining as much as possible of the previous funding stream. It is also critical that the final resolution is fair and equitable for the farmers and landowners, on which it is going to have such a huge impact.

The UUP will also continue to prioritise promoting Northern Ireland’s currently thriving agri-food industry as well as keeping a watchful eye on the cost developments of the three Fs: fuel, feed and fertiliser.

Farmers often see the Department of Agriculture (DARD) as part of the problem, rather than the solution. I want to see a change in the relationship between DARD and farmers: a recognition from the department that this industry is successful because farmers and the agri-food industry do the hard work day in and day out.

In your view, how do the Department of Education’s criteria for nursery places need to change?

A significant number of children across Northern Ireland are being unfairly denied a place at nursery school, with the present the system of allocating places boiling down to little more than a lottery.

The UUP believe that every child should be entitled to a statutory nursery school place and indeed we included a commitment of making pre-school education a universal entitlement in our recent election manifesto. I have raised this issue in my maiden speech to the Assembly, directly with the Minister and also at the Education Committee.

This issue has received cross-party support in the Assembly and I and my party colleagues will be working to ensure that a solution is brought forward by the Education Minister.

The system of identifying demand for increased nursery provision is also fundamentally flawed. I have been leading the campaign to establish a statutory nursery school in my home village of Waringstown which does not as yet have one, despite having almost 5,000 residents.

The UUP seems strong in Upper Bann despite declines elsewhere. What explains this trend?

The UUP has an extremely strong team in Upper Bann. During the recent Assembly election campaign we had three dedicated Assembly candidates, as well as a swathe of local government contenders, working on the ground across the constituency and that brought out the Ulster Unionist vote.

Our percentage vote has increased since the 2007 Assembly elections and we also increased our number of councillors on Banbridge District Council. I honestly believe that it goes to show that a mixture of hard work on the ground, in combination with a good team of candidates, is what the electorate in Northern Ireland wants.

The UUP is going through a period of change and renewal with our MLAs and councillors working hard on the ground to deliver for all of the people of Northern Ireland.

How do you relax in your free time?

My free time is at a premium at the moment. I do like to go to the gym but running around Stormont is also a good way of keeping fit. When I do get the time, which is very seldom, I lend a hand on the farm which is a very good way to clear all thoughts of politics from my head, if only briefly.

I like to support as many charity events as I can. Recently, I was a judge at the hugely successful ‘Let’s Dance for the NSPCC’ charity event held in Banbridge. This event was great fun and raised over £14,000 for this worthy cause.

Briefly sum up your first year as MP.

It’s been a very pleasing first year as a Member of Parliament. I was one of over 230 new MPs to be elected and with one of the most comfortable majorities after what many in the press had predicted, wrongly, would be a close-run thing.

Entering the House is an awesome experience, but being part of a new Parliament with so many new members has been a great advantage because there is so much energy, expectation and ambition.

There have been some outstanding moments: the Queen’s Speech, where I was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the new government minister Theresa May at the bar of the House of Lords, and the Remembrance Service.

Making my maiden speech was nerve- wrecking but I think I carried it off. With my mother and father sitting in the public gallery looking down at me made it all the more a huge moment of pride for me. Also when my father was elevated to the Lords, I got to stand at the bar of the Lords for his ceremony – a privilege extended only to a very few.

Each Wednesday, Prime Minister’s questions is real theatre and the sombre occasion of the reading of the names of the armed service personnel killed in action juxtaposes with the hurly-burly and banter of party squabbling. I’ve managed to put my constituency needs on the agenda and will continue to do so.

How does the political atmosphere differ between Stormont and Westminster?

The difference in atmosphere between Stormont and Westminster really couldn’t be more stark. Westminster is a real debating chamber. No getting up reading a five-minute prepared script and then disappearing off to do whatever you want. Do that once in Westminster and you won’t get called again for at least a year.

Westminster protocol demands you are there for the start and finish of any debate you participate in, and remain in the chamber and play a part. Reading speeches just isn’t done. You’re expected to know your stuff and be able to speak confidently and take interventions and debate robustly and rigorously the points.

You also get the sense that you are playing a part in the shaping and formation of national government policy and legislation. In the Assembly that can’t be said. I was a member of the Assembly for 13 years. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it but the Assembly is not a debating chamber – more’s the pity.

Proper debating is stifled and suffocated by a host of reasons: inexperience, lack of confidence, deficiency in some members’ ability and a protocol that has grown up of five-minute speeches with one intervention and a driver to try to get a line in the local newspaper rather than to effect change or drive debate. If the Assembly wants to become more relevant, it needs to allow the debating chamber to breathe a little more.

Since resigning my Assembly seat I’ve gone back to the Assembly on a couple of occasions. Each time I am convinced I made the correct decision. The Assembly is more like a grand county council rather than a regional parliament.

Maybe that’s because so many MLAs come from council background but our councils are a different beast. They grew out of a period when there was no real local parliament so members became voices, not makers of legislation. Many come from a background of grasping at government with one hand and a begging bowl in the other, demanding spending on services without any realisation of accountability or responsibility.

A regional Assembly that wants to be a devolved parliament must cast off this straightjacket. The Assembly too frequently allows itself to be led by the nose on topics. The nonsense, for example, of bringing in legislation to fine children for not wearing safety helmets whilst on their push bikes was a media- driven craze. It is all too obvious how the Assembly allows itself to be driven by media stories and not by strategy. That criticism cannot be said of Parliament.

What is your assessment of the Government’s plans for welfare reform?

I sit on the committee dealing with welfare reform and to say I am not impressed with the Government’s Bill would be an understatement.

My impression is that very few MPs actually would know their way around a benefit claim form, let alone know how the system works and where improvements could be found. I’m all for improving the system but we have got to remove the ideology out of the Bill and address it from the perspective of a community that has needs, not a perspective that suggests the community is ripping off the state.

What are your main interests outside politics?

I have four children ranging from age six to 16 so they largely dictate what my life is spent doing away from work. My big passion is motorbikes and motorsport. I don’t get as much time as I used to enjoy my bike but when I do it is sheer bliss. I enjoy music, concerts, film and rugby. I have lots of interests away from politics that I find keep me well-grounded in the real world.

How did you get involved in politics?

I became involved in full-time politics when I received a phone call from the late MP Harold McCusker before the 1982 Assembly elections, telling me to put my name on the ballot paper, and I was successfully elected as an MLA that year. I then became a Member of Parliament in the 1983 general election and MEP in 1989, where I have served since. I have had the privilege to have served at all levels of government.

What are the most challenging and enjoyable parts of your job?

The most challenging part of my job would definitely be the travelling. Another huge challenge came with the Lisbon Treaty, which increased the number of areas where the co-decision legislative

procedure applies. It changes the role of an MEP because it gives Parliament a say in the legislative process that they wouldn’t otherwise have had. Neither the Commission nor the Council has quite worked out yet how to handle the Parliament’s new powers. For example, I find myself in an interesting position with my legislative report on the Commission’s proposals for the future of the dairy sector, because many view my report as the precedent for how co-decision will work in practice in the area of agriculture and rural development.

Through my job, I have fantastic opportunities to meet people from different walks of life. I recently spoke to senior pupils at Ballyclare High School and their interest in politics and modern languages was so refreshing to see. I have also been very lucky to have been appointed as fifth Vice-Chair to the African, Caribbean and Pacific-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, and have therefore been becoming more involved in international development projects in Brussels, at home and farther afield.

What is the importance of Europe to Northern Ireland?

Approximately 70 per cent of legislation dealt with by the Assembly comes from the EU so Europe is of fundamental importance to Northern Ireland. It is a reality we cannot escape and so my view is quite simple: we get in there, fight our corner and get the best deal for Northern Ireland we can.

I have always thought of myself as a Euro- realist, acknowledging that in some areas Europe can be a force for good. For example, why shouldn’t 27 member states co-operate closely on areas such as environmental protection and combating climate change? But I very clearly oppose the idea of an ‘ever-closer union’ and UK membership of the eurozone. Only a fool would deny that the European Union has been good for Northern Ireland in relation to funding and infrastructure.

How much influence does Northern Ireland have in Europe?

I think we need to consider two things. Firstly, Northern Ireland has a population of 1.7 million, so we are a small region when one considers that the EU has a population of 500 million, and secondly, we are also located on the geographical periphery of Europe. Despite this, Northern Ireland has punched above its weight. This is clearly demonstrated by the Peace funding which I helped to secure for Northern Ireland along with John Hume and Dr Ian Paisley. The Peace programme has delivered over £2 billion since 1995 to help build peace, partnership and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Due to our particular circumstances, many regions with the EU would be envious of Northern Ireland’s ease of access to the corridors of power in Brussels. Given the recent enlargement of the European Union, it’s getting harder to compete and we can no longer plead special status. This is why it’s more vital than ever that the Executive and Assembly up their game in Europe.

You travelled to Haiti following the earthquake there. What did you take from that experience?

Nothing could have prepared me for the devastation I saw in Haiti seven months on from the earthquake. I believe that the international community cannot forget the Haitian people and we must commit to ensuring they get the government they so desperately deserve.

I believe education is central to reducing poverty. Around 80 per cent of education was privately provided and one in every two children received no education prior to the earthquake. However, seeing the teacher training schools, funded by the EU, gave me hope for future generations. We must invest in our young people, wherever they are. Northern Ireland needs to play its role in reaching out to others in need and this is why I firmly support the International Development Strategy published by the Assembly’s All-Party Group on International Development.

What three things would you like to achieve before the next European election?

Firstly, it is a huge ambition of mine to help put in place a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that delivers for farmers and consumers post-2013 and which also provides food security for the future. Secondly, I would like to secure a successor programme to Peace III so that local groups can keep up their good work.

I would also like to see Northern Ireland become even more outward-looking, sharing our learning with others and enhancing our understanding of global interdependence.

How do you spend your free time?

I’ve always said that I’ve been very fortunate to have two careers that I love: politics and farming. When I’m home there’s nothing I enjoy more than spending time on the farm surrounded by family and friends. And on my constituency days, driving between appointments in Northern Ireland, I like listening to Johnny Cash and Abba.

What do you want to achieve for West Tyrone?

I want to make West Tyrone one of the most attractive areas to work and live, not just within Northern Ireland but the UK as a whole. As a party we have wanted to ensure that the people of West Tyrone have access to two full-time, professionally staffed advice centres where they are able to access their elected representatives and to seek assistance with problems they face.

West Tyrone is one of the most westerly areas of the United Kingdom and sometimes we have argued that it has been overlooked in terms of infrastructure development and investment. I want to ensure that West Tyrone not only receives its fair share of this investment, but can actually be a leader in contributing to our economy.

How would you sum up the Justice Committee’s performance to date?

The committee is still in early days but it has already been tackling a number of major issues. The abuse case concerning the brothers from Donagh in County Fermanagh has been very publicly highlighted and there have also been issues more recently about the Prison Service and prisoners who have been wrongly released. The committee is there to hold the Minister to account and that has already been shown to be done.

What are the benefits of the union for West Tyrone?

Northern Ireland benefits financially through being part of the United Kingdom. Unfortunately the tax receipts generated by Northern Ireland are less than the amount of money we receive in the block grant from Westminster, and Northern Ireland therefore benefits hugely from a multi-billion subvention from central government.

Whilst unionism is not merely a financial calculation, there is no doubt that every single person in Northern Ireland benefits as a direct result of our position within the United Kingdom. The lessons of the last few years have also shown that whilst the UK economy may not have boomed in quite the same way as our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland, a much larger economy will have greater ability to deal with a financial crisis when it arises.

As part of the UK we are also part of a market of over 60 million people, but we are not tied to the European single currency, therefore allowing greater flexibility to control our economy.

What do you aim to achieve for West Tyrone before the Assembly elections next year?

I want to have made a difference to the lives of people in West Tyrone. As a party we will be able to show how DUP ministers have taken decisions which have directly benefitted people living in areas such as Omagh and Strabane. Personally, I can point to hundreds of people who have been helped by the work of the DUP advice centres in West Tyrone.

It is also worth remembering that despite the economic threats posed to Northern Ireland through the cuts in public expenditure, that the province is a much better place than it was in very recent times. I want to ensure that West Tyrone, like the rest of Northern Ireland, benefits from that.

Over your career to date, what have been the most memorable events?

Some of the areas that I have been involved with have been the Strule Arts Centre, the new South West College and the new PSNI station. Since these have opened, they have greatly boosted the morale of the area.

I was also involved in the rejuvenation of the Omagh town centre through the environmental improvement scheme, which has also been a great boost for the image of the town centre.

These memorable events plus many others too numerous to mention, have been extremely rewarding and provided much satisfaction for the amount of time and work in bringing them to fruition. I was privileged to have had the opportunity to visit Buckingham Palace this year to attend their annual garden party. To have been in close proximity with the Queen and royal family was a memorable experience.

Outside politics, what do you do to relax?

In my own time, I like to relax in my garden and enjoy time with my wife and family. I also enjoy exercising my two Springer Spaniel dogs which have become part of the family life. Being very fond of bag pipe music and having played the bag pipes for the past 35 years, I find this great therapy for relaxation from the constant day-to- day pressures associated with political life. Motorcycling is also one of my hobbies which helps the mind to relax and I thoroughly enjoy reading, especially autobiographies.

How did you become involved in politics?

As the son of an Ulster Unionist, Robin Kinahan, who had represented Clifton in Stormont in 1958 and whose uncle founded the Alliance Party, I think entering politics was probably in my blood. I studied Politics at school and always followed it closely in Northern Ireland, in the UK and in the States. I was lucky that a slot came up in council for my own patch just as my own career was needing refreshing and was equally lucky

that the Assembly position for Stormont was vacated by Jim Wilson and then David Burnside at just the time that I felt ready to represent South Antrim in the Assembly.

What does the UUP uniquely offer young voters?

The Ulster Unionist Party is constructive, non-sectarian and forward looking. We want to build a Northern Ireland which is better for everyone who lives here – socially, economically and politically. For our young voters, we want them to come forward to share their vision with us.

The young people of this upcoming generation will bear the brunt of tuition fees, the effects of an aging population and unprecedented environmental concerns. Unlike their parents, they may struggle to get a foot on the housing ladder and rather than looking forward to a career for life, they may find that a ‘portfolio’ career will be the answer to their aspirations. This means that they will have to develop expertise, portable employment skills, and a resilience that will enable them to tough out difficult times. We believe that our place within the union will secure the links and networks they will need for a global economy – a parochial ‘Ulster alone’ approach simply will not work.

What form should the party’s link with the Conservatives take?

I had high hopes for the link with the Conservative Party – the electorate did not agree – that’s democracy. In my view the purest form of the union and the greatest chance of ensuring that the union remains is by strengthening our place within it.

We are also better placed to influence policy in Northern Ireland if we talk to the government rather than consistently selling Northern Ireland as the poor neighbour. We want tangible benefits, not just expedient political arrangements.

As my new party leader Tom Elliott has indicated, the link did not hold broad appeal and I support Tom’s decision to review the mechanism in consultation with party colleagues.

Has your experience in the army influenced your political outlook? If so, how?

My time in the army has had a major impact on all that I do. The welfare of your soldiers comes first and we politicians serve them. Loyalty to your senior officers and working as a team to achieve your aim is vital in the army, just as it is in politics. The broad church in the Ulster Unionist Party means constantly communicating and working with colleagues to help move the party forward as a team under the party leader’s guidance.

The army needed you to be disciplined and ready to be on-call and prepared for any eventuality. This experience is essential in the Assembly where day-to- day business chops and changes hourly – you need to be ready for anything at any hour. My family background instilled in me a very strong work ethic – this was reinforced during my time in the army – so if there’s a job to be done – let’s get it done!

Above all, if my army career taught me anything, it was the importance of communicating to your unit exactly what needed to be accomplished, how and why. The Assembly often falls short – we fail to speak in layman’s English, and we must.

At your quarterly UUP dinner, apart from new UUP members, who would be your three ideal guests and why?

Ronnie Barker – sadly no longer with us, he was a superb wordsmith and a huge comic talent.

Andrew Marr – A keen sense of humour allied to an enormous intellect.

David Bowie – I still love his music after all these years and I appreciate his view on the world.

How do you like to spend your free time?

As an Assembly member, there is not a great deal of free time so it becomes cherished. Where I can, I work on the farm, in the garden or in the woods. I play tennis and attempt to play golf occasionally. I normally start each day walking my dogs and end it reading, doing the crossword or watching a film – sometimes I try to do all three at once! If I had more free time, I would like to travel much more, particularly to spectacular locations such as the Himalayas.

Please explain your transition from teaching and marketing to politics.

I was a teacher at St Comgall’s College in Larne for 15 years and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I mainly taught history and became head of the history department after my first year. I also drew up a syllabus on civics because I believed it was important for young people to understand civil society.

I was elected to the 1982 ‘Jim Prior’ Assembly and left teaching, but after the fall of the Assembly in 1986 I decided to return to university where I gained a postgraduate diploma in marketing at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Subsequently, I set up my own company, ‘Neeson Marketing Enterprises’ but still maintained my interest in politics.

I have been an elected member of Carrickfergus Borough Council since 1977 and was deeply involved with the Alliance Party in all the political negotiations during the 1990s, including the Good Friday Agreement. I was delighted to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998.

Over the course of the peace process, what has changed in Northern Ireland for better and worse?

I first started teaching in 1968 and my classroom overlooked the entrance to Larne Lough. I remember in May 1973 looking across the lough to Ballylumford Power Station and seeing the smoke coming out of the chimney stacks. This signified the end of the UWC strike and the fall of the power-sharing Executive. To me

that was one of the most disappointing days of my life.

Our present power-sharing government has now lasted 12 years and yet there are still divisions in our society. We still have the tensions during the marching season and we still have segregated housing and teaching. However, life is much better and communities have been brought together in sport and entertainment.

We can be proud of Belfast as our capital city although the present recession is creating problems as it is right across the islands. There is much greater North/South co-operation on issues such as energy and infrastructure. I am optimistic about the future but it is vital that political leadership must take on the responsibility to heal the wounds that years of conflict have brought.

What are the three main issues facing East Antrim at the moment?

Both Carrickfergus and Larne have set up committees to implement master plans to revitalise the town centres.

East Antrim is the centre of generating electricity at Ballylumford and Kilroot as well as natural gas distribution, and one of the big energy issues is the proposal to store natural gas underground in the Larne area.

The economy is a huge issue bearing in mind that in the 1970s and 1980s, Carrickfergus in particular lost huge industries in Courtaulds, ICI and Carreras. Recently the huge loss of jobs in Nortel and other IT companies has made a major impact. However, the development of local enterprise agencies at Ledcom in Larne, Carrickfergus Enterprise Agency and Mallusk Enterprise Park in Newtownabbey, have all made a positive impact on the local economy.

What are your priorities for the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee in the forthcoming year?

The Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee has just embarked on a major investigation into the development of energy from renewables throughout Northern Ireland. It shows our continuing support for the Green New Deal.

The committee has spent a considerable amount of time dealing with changes in credit unions in Northern Ireland to enable them to provide more services to customers. Regulation will pass from DETI to the Financial Services Authority or its possible successor. Recently in the Assembly I called for the establishment of an office in Northern Ireland when the changes take place. Collectively, we are interested in the impact of the EU on the economy and earlier this year the committee paid a working visit to Brussels.

How important is Europe to Northern Ireland?

As someone who represents Northern Ireland on the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe, I am totally committed to strong links with the European Union. I believe the Northern Ireland Assembly should have a greater presence in Brussels so that we could have a stronger impact on European directives which have a major impact on our everyday life.

Recently as Chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust, I hosted a seminar in the Long Gallery on the impact of the Lisbon Treaty. I am pleased that our three MEPs and directors from the European Commission contributed to the event which was very well attended by MLAs and members of the business community.

How do you like to relax?

My major interest outside of politics is maritime heritage and I am a member of the Nomadic Charitable Trust as well as representing Northern Ireland on the UK National Historic Ships Committee. My home is almost like a maritime museum with ships’ paintings and models.

Over the years I have contributed written articles and photographs on maritime heritage to published books and magazines.

Just over six months ago my wife Carol and I became grandparents for the first time

How did you get involved in politics?

I first got involved in politics through the Republican Clubs. My family home had always been a debating chamber and world politics were always discussed whenever two or more were in the house. My father and uncle were particularly interesting to listen to and as time went on I would add in my tuppence worth.

I saw republican politics as the way to end discrimination, which had led to unemployment, emigration and a reduction in the nationalist vote. I believed that we could change that and as a result, change the world.

What stands out about Mid Ulster?

Mid Ulster has always led from the front in politics, economic regeneration, entrepreneurial skills etc.

Mid Ulster has historically suffered from a lack of investment. But local people, confident in their ability used their skills to design, manufacture and build SMEs across the constituency, creating local employment and enhancing the local economy.

Politically, Mid Ulster is a strong republican constituency. Tom Mitchel was elected to represent Mid Ulster while in prison, Bernadette Devlin, a strong voice for civil rights, was MP for Mid Ulster and currently Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness is an MP and MLA for Mid Ulster.

What does your work on the Committee of the Regions involve?

The remit of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has been strengthened following the treaty. It is a scrutinising committee monitoring the work of the European Council, Commission and their structures.

I have only recently been appointed by the Assembly to the CoR so I am still finding my feet. I attend quarterly meetings as well as sitting on the Environment Committee, which scrutinises policies and makes amendments to legislation which will affect the Assembly.

Europe moves very slowly but legislation is always changing and very often people only become aware of the change when it is being implemented. Our role as committee members is to try and see that change coming and lessen any negative impact it may have locally.

As a member of the Agriculture Committee, covering a Minister from your own party, how do you maintain your independence?

My role on the Agriculture Committee is to scrutinise the department and the legislation that they propose. There is no opposition in our form of government so the committees have to ensure that all legislation is fit for purpose and that it meets the needs of the people we represent, at party level, constituency level and at Assembly level, in terms of the budget and economic climate. The Minister has a job to do and the committee’s role is to scrutinise it.

What do you aim to do for your constituency before the elections next year?

My aim as an elected representative has always been to maintain Mid Ulster as a good place to live, work and play. I serve the constituency to the best of my ability and will fight tooth and nail for the people of Mid Ulster.

I want to see planning legislation changed to allow local business to grow and expand. Local enterprise has been the life-blood of Mid Ulster through difficult times; it has built a strong rural economy. Some 80 per cent of the world’s quarry, sand and gravel equipment is manufactured in Mid Ulster. I want to see that success built on. Most of these businesses started in farm yards and small sheds, not industrial estates and we need recognition of this to allow SMEs to grow.

I want to maintain jobs in Mid Ulster and I will continue to lobby government to relocate departments, particularly agriculture, within Mid Ulster. As a rural department I feel strongly that it should be in a rural constituency and I believe that Loughry College is an ideal site.

I also want to see adequate health care provision for the people of Mid Ulster, which is accessible from within Mid Ulster. We continue to witness the removal of services out of the area. We need all-party support to ensure that this not only stops, but to demand acute hospital provision in the centre of Mid Ulster.

How do you use your spare time?

As an elected representative, I don’t have a great deal of spare time. I do enjoy working around the house when I can. I have a number of young calves and Dexter cattle which keeps me in touch with the land.

Working with animals is very relaxing for someone like me who is just a hobby farmer. I will never make any money but it helps give me an insight into the difficulties faced by farmers, such as tagging, feeding, slaughter etc.

I find that even my hobbies tie into my elected role. I am always looking for ways to improve and simplify current systems and procedures that will benefit the people of Mid Ulster no matter what I am doing.

Roy Beggs was elected as an Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim in 1998. In 2001 he was elected to Carrickfergus Borough Council, representing the Knockagh Monument area. A former production manager, he sits on the Assembly’s Environment Committee and is the Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. He is Chairman of the All Party Group for the Community and Voluntary Sector. Roy is married with three children.

How did you get started in politics?

My dad was elected as a local councillor when I was still at primary school, and so throughout my early years I followed his work and developed an interest in politics.

As a student, I became involved in the East Antrim Young Unionist branch, became an active member of Queen’s Unionist Association and was appointed secretary of the Ulster Young Unionist Council.

Having worked behind the scenes as local branch and then UUP East Antrim constituency secretary for 10 years, I was elected as an MLA in 1998.

In your view, what are the three major issues facing East Antrim in the coming year?

I have no doubt that enabling sustainable job creation in East Antrim will be a key issue over the next 12 months. It is vital that there are better job prospects for my constituents in Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey.

Improving the Northern Ireland and UK economy and getting public finances back on track must be top of any agenda. Given the present – and wholly unsustainable – levels of public expenditure (£1 in every £4 being borrowed) there needs to be greater recognition of, and encouragement for, those working in the private sector. This is the only way we can create wealth and raise the necessary taxes to support our public services.

There is a particular danger that East Antrim could be over-looked by government departments due to its geographical location on a coastal strip. While recognising that public services are being gathered into more efficient, centralised units, I will continue to press for the provision of appropriate services locally.

With the decision to centre acute services in Antrim Area Hospital there is clearly a pressing need for modern, fit-for-purpose health and care centres to replace the outdated facilities in Carrickfergus and Larne. There is also a demand for investment in additional services at the Whiteabbey Hospital site.

In addition, East Antrim provides key transport routes that are vital to businesses across Northern Ireland and indeed to local commuters. With a squeeze expected on capital infrastructure projects, I will be pressing for new trains to be commissioned for the Larne railway line without further delay. I will also be pressing for the A8 dual carriageway to get its fair share of the £400 million infrastructural investment from the Republic of Ireland, and for the A2 widening scheme – which was recognised in BMAP (the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan) – to be given appropriate priority in expenditure plans.

How seriously does the public sector take accountability?

In order to ensure public accountability, there must be openness and transparency about how public money is being spent. Improved accountability is something I have striven for as a local councillor, and as an MLA. For example, as a member of the Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) I recently saw how, in the past, Northern Ireland Water failed to follow its own purchasing procedures. Thankfully, given the increased powers of scrutiny granted to the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the PAC are now able to highlight such mistakes and ensure that lessons are learnt for the future.

As the UUP’s spokesman for children and young people, what is your reaction considering that child benefit and Surestart grants have been cut in the Budget?

Her Majesty’s Government has been forced into freezing child benefit by the dire state of the public finances. The severity of this situation was encapsulated by the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liam Byrne MP, who famously left a note stating: “I’m afraid there is no money left”. Whilst a freeze is regrettable, it is much preferable to the 10 per cent cut in child benefit which has been imposed in the Republic of Ireland.

Given that I helped to establish Horizon Surestart, which assists parents to enable their children to reach their full potential in parts of Carrickfergus and Larne, I am fully committed to its ethos. The 0-4 stage of a child’s life is the critical period, and I am pleased that this year,despite economic conditions, a 2.3 per cent budget up-lift has been provided locally to Surestart. Whilst I understand that the income-related Surestart maternity grant administered by DSD is being restricted to one grant per family, I am pleased that every qualifying family will still be entitled to a significant grant to purchase necessary clothes and equipment.

What motivates you? 

My Presbyterian background (a committee member of Raloo Presbyterian Church and a Boys’ Brigade officer) is a key part of who I am. This has given me a value that everyone is equal, a recognition for democratic structures and a desire to assist those who are in need. This is particularly the case if the “ordinary man” has been unfairly treated by a large organisation, whether public or private.

My dad was one of 12 children from humble origins. A supportive family that valued education, together with a strong work ethic, enabled him and his extended family to prosper. I would like to see all children being given the same opportunity to reach their full potential.

How do you relax outside politics?

Outside politics, I enjoy a cycle or a walk in the countryside. I also assist my dad on the family farm and dabble in DIY around the house. Ideally, I like to get away for a week in the summer to the north coast in our touring caravan, where I normally play the odd round of golf (badly), body board, cycle and walk, so let’s hope for an improvement in our weather!