Mary Simpson (Northern Ireland politician)

This article is about the politician in Northern Ireland. For other people named Mary Simpson, see Mary Simpson (disambiguation).

Mary Simpson was a unionist politician in Northern Ireland.

Simpson was honorary secretary of the Central Armagh Unionist Association from 1974 until 1983,^[1] and was elected to Craigavon District Council for the Ulster Unionist Party at the Northern Ireland local elections, 1977. She held her seat in 1981,^[2] and served as Mayor of Craigavon in 1981/2, the first woman to hold the post.^[1]

At the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1982, Simpson stood in Armagh. She took only 721 first-preference votes, leaving her in last position, but she was elected on transfers from party colleagues.^[3] At the Assembly, she served on the Environment Committee and as vice-chair of the Education Committee.^[1] She was re-elected to her council seat in 1985, but stood down in 1989.^[4]

In 1990, Simpson served as Chair of the Craigavon and District Housing Association.^[1]

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Maedhbh McNamara and Paschal Mooney, Women in Parliament: Ireland, 1918-2000, p.236
2. ↑ "The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Craigavon", Northern Ireland Elections
3. ↑ "Armagh 1973-1983", Northern Ireland Elections
4. ↑ Local Government Elections 1985 - 1989: Armagh, Northern Ireland Elections