Jo-Anne Dobson
| Jo-Anne Dobson MLA | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Upper Bann | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2011 | |
| Preceded by | George Savage |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jo-Anne Elizabeth Elliott 3 January 1966 Banbridge, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist |
| Spouse(s) | John Dobson |
| Children | Elliott Mark |
| Residence | Waringstown, County Down |
| Religion | Protestant |
Jo-Anne Elizabeth Dobson (née Elliott) is an Ulster Unionist Party politician in Northern Ireland who was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011.[1]
Dobson was elected to Craigavon Borough Council in a by-election in 2010 - winning 64% of the vote.[2] Upon her election to Stormont she stepped down from Council in 2012, being replaced by Colin McCusker, General Secretary of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Organ Donation
In December 2012 Jo-Anne tabled a Private Member's Bill at the Northern Ireland Assembly to change the existing Organ Donation Laws in Northern Ireland.
In February 2013 she was elected as Chairperson of the newly created Northern Ireland Assembly All-Party Group on Organ Donation [3]
During the International TED (conference), held at the Northern Ireland Assembly[4] in March 2013 Jo-Anne spoke passionately about her son's kidney transplant and her strong belief in the power of organ donation.[5]
She dedicated her speech to the memory of Waringstown lady Josie Kerr, who alongside her husband Walter founded the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund,[6] describing her as "an ordinary lady, who led an extraordinary life.'
2015 Westminster election
On October 14, 2014 she was selected by the Upper Bann Ulster Unionist Association to be the party's candidate for the Upper Bann constituency to challenge DUP incumbent David Simpson. [7]
Personal life
Dobson is the youngest child of Joanie and Eric Elliott. She has a younger sister called Belinda. She married her husband John, a beef and cereal farmer when she was 20 and has two sons, Mark and Elliott.
She attended Banbridge Academy, and while she did not attend university, both her sons went University. The eldest to Cambridge University. She is heavily involved in charitable roles and in local environmental and farming scenes.[8]
References
- ↑ BBC News - Election 2011
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8459304.stm
- ↑ http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Your-MLAs/All-Party-Groups/All-Party-Group-on-Organ-Donation
- ↑ http://www.tedxstormont.com
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWT9XnKoSl4
- ↑ http://www.kidneyresearchni.com/
- ↑
- ↑ http://www.stratagem-ni.com/politician_specific.aspx?dataid=621461
External links
- UUPER BANN: UUP holds onto two seats
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Jo-Anne Dobson MLA
- Northern Ireland Assembly Profile - Jo-Anne Dobson MLA
- Dobson takes up organ donation role
- Profile - Jo-Anne Dobson MLA
| Northern Ireland Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Savage |
MLA for Upper Bann 2011 - |
Succeeded by Incumbent |