John Carson | |
|---|---|
| Lord Mayor of Belfast | |
| In office 1980–1981 | |
| Preceded by | Billy Bell |
| Succeeded by | Grace Bannister |
| In office 1985–1986 | |
| Preceded by | Alfie Ferguson |
| Succeeded by | Sammy Wilson |
| Member of Belfast City Council | |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 21 May 1997 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Danny Lavery |
| Constituency | Castle |
| In office 30 May 1973 – 15 May 1985 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Belfast Area H |
| Member of Parliament forNorth Belfast | |
| In office 28 February 1974 – 3 May 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Stratton Mills |
| Succeeded by | John McQuade |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1933-07-31)July 31, 1933 (age 92) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist |
John CarsonCBE (born 31 July 1933)[1] is a former Northern Irish businessman andUlster Unionist Party (UUP) politician.
A draper who owned a shop in theinterface area of the Duncairn Gardens in northBelfast, Carson was elected toBelfast City Council in1973.[2] At theFebruary 1974 general election, he was elected as a member of theUnited Ulster Unionist Coalition as theMember of Parliament forBelfast North. At theOctober 1974 general election, Carson was re-elected with a substantial increase in his majority.[citation needed]
However, he was de-selected in 1979, after voting in favour of theLabour government in the crucialvote of confidence, which they lost.[3] Inthat year's general election, Belfast North was gained byJohnny McQuade of theDemocratic Unionist Party, withCecil Walker coming second for the UUP.[4]
Despite this, Carson retained his popularity, topping the local government poll in theelectoral area 'H',[2] which included over half of the parliamentary seat. He also topped the poll in North Belfast at the1982 Assembly elections.[3]
Carson was twiceLord Mayor of Belfast first 1980-81 and second from 1985 to 1986, and in his capacity as a councillor, was sometimes at odds with his party colleagues. For example, he attended aCity Hall lunch attended by the then Secretary of StateTom King, despite the Unionist policy of boycotting meetings with Government ministers in protest at theAnglo-Irish Agreement.[5] For this, he was threatened with expulsion from the UUP, which never happened.[5]
Carson remained a member of Belfast City Council until1997, when he lost his seat after 24 consecutive years on the council.[2][6][7]
Carson married Martha in 1953 and had two daughters. They celebrated theirDiamond Anniversary in 2013.[8]
Carson was appointedCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the1981 Birthday Honours.[9]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forBelfast North February 1974–1979 | Succeeded by |
| Northern Ireland Assembly (1982) | ||
| New assembly | MPA forNorth Belfast 1982–1986 | Assembly abolished |
| Civic offices | ||
| Preceded by John Allen | High Sheriff of Belfast 1978–1979 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Lord Mayor of Belfast 1980 - 81 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Lord Mayor of Belfast 1985 - 86 | Succeeded by |
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