Robbie Butler | |
|---|---|
 Butler in 2024 | |
| Deputy Leader of theUlster Unionist Party | |
| Assumed office 27 May 2021 | |
| Leader | Doug Beattie Mike Nesbitt |
| Chair of theCommittee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs | |
| Assumed office 28 September 2024 | |
| Deputy | Declan McAleer |
| Preceded by | Tom Elliott |
| Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson forAgriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs | |
| Assumed office 28 September 2024 | |
| Leader | Mike Nesbitt |
| Preceded by | Tom Elliott |
| Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson forEducation | |
| In office 24 May 2021 – 28 September 2024 | |
| Leader | Doug Beattie |
| Succeeded by | Colin Crawford |
| Member of theNorthern Ireland Assembly forLagan Valley | |
| Assumed office 5 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Basil McCrea |
| Member of Lisburn & Castlereagh Council | |
| In office 22 May 2014 – 5 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Redpath |
| Constituency | Killultagh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1972-04-16)16 April 1972 (age 52) Lisburn,Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Belinda |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Firefighter |
Robbie ButlerMLA (born 16 April 1972) is a Northern Irish unionist politician, serving asDeputy Leader of theUlster Unionist Party (UUP) since May 2021, and aMember of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) forLagan Valley since2016.
He has been the Ulster Unionist Party's representative forAgriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs since 2024.[1] He is an officer in theBoys' Brigade at 1st Magheragall.[2]
Before entering politics, Butler worked as a butcher from the age of 16, became aprison officer in 1996[2] and then afirefighter in 2000.[3]
Butler was a UUP candidate in the2014 local elections forLisburn and Castlereagh Council. He stood in the Killultagh electoral area and was elected as a councillor with 18.2% of the vote.[4]
At the2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election, he was elected to the Assembly as one of two UUP representatives for Lagan Valley.
He was the UUP candidate forLagan Valley in the2017 general election, polling 16.8% of the vote.[5] He stood again in the2019 election, polling 19.0%.[6] In the2024 election, he stood once more in Lagan Valley and won 22.7%.[7] His result meant that the Unionist vote was split, and therefore, the Alliance Party candidateSorcha Eastwood gained the seat from the DUP.
FollowingSteve Aiken's resignation as leader of the UUP, Butler was reported to be "giving serious consideration" around standing for the party leadership.[8] Butler decided not to stand, andDoug Beattie was elected unopposed.[9]
On 24 May 2021, in addition to his existing role as partychief whip, Butler was appointed deputy leader of the UUP.[10]
In July 2023, Butler, as UUP deputy leader, ruled out anyelectoral pact with theDemocratic Unionist Party (DUP) for the2024 United Kingdom general election.[11]
As UUP Education spokesperson, Butler, in August 2023, stated that "any new RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) curriculum must be created with the input of parents, children and teaching professionals from Northern Ireland only."[12]
Butler accused theDepartment of Health of forcing community and voluntary organisations towards a "financial cliff edge" on 23 August 2023. He called for the extension of the Core Grant Scheme.[13]
| Northern Ireland Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | MLA forLagan Valley 2016 – present | Incumbent |