Paul Girvan | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2020 | |
| Member of Parliament forSouth Antrim | |
| In office 8 June 2017 – 30 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Danny Kinahan |
| Succeeded by | Robin Swann |
| Member of theNorthern Ireland Assembly forSouth Antrim | |
| In office 1 July 2010 – 8 June 2017 | |
| Preceded by | William McCrea |
| Succeeded by | Trevor Clarke |
| In office 26 November 2003 – 7 March 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Norman Boyd |
| Succeeded by | William McCrea |
| Member of Newtownabbey Borough Council | |
| In office 21 May 1997 – 22 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Cameron |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Ballyclare |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Paul Girvan[1] (1963-07-06)6 July 1963 (age 62)[2] Ballyclare, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
William Paul Girvan (born 6 July 1963)[3] is a retiredDemocratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician who was theMember of Parliament (MP) forSouth Antrim from2017 to2024. In this role, Girvan was the DUP's spokesperson forTransport.[4]He was previously aMember of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) forSouth Antrim from2003 to2007, and then from 2010 to 2017.
Girvan was first elected toNewtownabbey Borough Council in1997, representing theBallyclare District, and was re-elected in2001,2005 and2011.From 2002 to 2004, he served as Mayor of Newtownabbey, and also served as chair of the council's Development Committee.
In2003, he was elected to theNorthern Ireland Assembly, representingSouth Antrim.[5] He was deselected by the DUP in South Antrim in 2007,[6] but returned to the Assembly in 2010 when he was selected to replaceWilliam McCrea following his resignation.[7]
In the2017 general election, he contestedSouth Antrim, winning the seat with a 3,208 majority, against the incumbent MP,Danny Kinahan of theUlster Unionist Party (UUP).[8][9]
In March 2019, Girvan was one of 21 MPs who voted against LGBT inclusive sex and relationship education in English schools.[10][11]
He retained his seat at the2019 general election, though did see his vote decline by 3%, with a majority of 2,689.[12]
In July 2020, during a trade debate in theHouse of Commons, Girvan caused controversy when he said that food in shops must be affordable "for the housewife to buy." He immediately apologised for the remark.[13][14]
At the2024 general election, Girvan lost his seat to the UUP'sRobin Swann, which saw his vote decline by 15.7%.[15][16]He is now retired.[17]
Girvan is married to Mandy, a former DUPcouncillor forBallyclare.[18][19]
| Civic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Vera McWilliam | Mayor of Newtownabbey 2002–2004 | Succeeded by Ted Turkington |
| Northern Ireland Assembly | ||
| Preceded by | MLA forAntrim South 2003–2007 | Succeeded by multiple members |
| Preceded by | MLA forAntrim South 2010–2017 | Succeeded by |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forSouth Antrim 2017–2024 | Succeeded by |
