George Dawson (politician)
Encyclopedia
George Dawson was a Northern Irish politician and a member of the Democratic Unionist Party
(DUP) since 1979. He was an MLA
for East Antrim
from November 2003 until his death following a short battle with cancer
.
Dawson held a number of positions within the structure of the party, of which his father was a founding member. Most recently he acted as Sammy Wilson
MP’s campaign manager in the 2005 general election win in East Antrim. He also advised Jim Allister
QC, MEP on economic and environmental issues.
Born in Lurgan
, County Armagh
, and educated at Banbridge Academy
, Dawson went on to study English and Modern History at Queen's University, Belfast. After graduating from Queen's in 1983, he entered the world of business, becoming a managing director with an international company in which he had responsibilities in Northern Ireland, England
, Scotland
and north Africa
. Dawson was involved in promoting corporate social responsibility within the business community in Northern Ireland. He was instrumental in establishing a number of credit union
s in recent years.
George Dawson was one of three DUP candidates who were elected from East Antrim in the Northern Ireland Assembly election of November 2003 and later was DUP spokesperson on Energy and the Economy. Dawson also represented the DUP on the Economic Development Forum and Advisory Council for Infrastructure Investment.
Dawson died on Monday 7 May 2007. Apart from politics, Dawson was at the time of his death Grand Master of the Independent Orange Institution, chairman of the Riada Credit Union and of the Caleb Foundation, Treasurer and Council member of the Evangelical Protestant Society
and a trustee in TIDY Northern Ireland
.
He was survived by his wife Vi and their two daughters, Emma and Sarah.
He was replaced as MLA by Alastair Ian Ross on 14 May 2007.http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/membership07.htm
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
(DUP) since 1979. He was an MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
for East Antrim
East Antrim (Assembly constituency)
East Antrim is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996. Since 1998, it has elected members to the current Assembly....
from November 2003 until his death following a short battle with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Dawson held a number of positions within the structure of the party, of which his father was a founding member. Most recently he acted as Sammy Wilson
Sammy Wilson
Samuel Wilson is a politician from Northern Ireland who is a Member of Parliament and a Member of the Legislative Assembly for East Antrim. He served as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1986 – 1987; and again from June 2000 to June 2001. He was the first person from the Democratic Unionist Party ...
MP’s campaign manager in the 2005 general election win in East Antrim. He also advised Jim Allister
Jim Allister
James Hugh "Jim" Allister, QC is a Northern Ireland Unionist politician and senior barrister. He is the leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice political party, serving as MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly, where he represents Antrim North.He was formerly a member of the Democratic Unionist...
QC, MEP on economic and environmental issues.
Born in Lurgan
Lurgan
Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...
, County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, and educated at Banbridge Academy
Banbridge Academy
Banbridge Academy is a grammar school located in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. The school was founded in 1786.The current Principal is Mr Raymond Pollock OBE, who was previously a Vice Principal at Friends' School, Lisburn. Mr. Pollock was preceded by Mr. Charles Winston Breen , a graduate of...
, Dawson went on to study English and Modern History at Queen's University, Belfast. After graduating from Queen's in 1983, he entered the world of business, becoming a managing director with an international company in which he had responsibilities in Northern Ireland, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and north Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. Dawson was involved in promoting corporate social responsibility within the business community in Northern Ireland. He was instrumental in establishing a number of credit union
Credit union
A credit union is a cooperative financial institution that is owned and controlled by its members and operated for the purpose of promoting thrift, providing credit at competitive rates, and providing other financial services to its members...
s in recent years.
George Dawson was one of three DUP candidates who were elected from East Antrim in the Northern Ireland Assembly election of November 2003 and later was DUP spokesperson on Energy and the Economy. Dawson also represented the DUP on the Economic Development Forum and Advisory Council for Infrastructure Investment.
Dawson died on Monday 7 May 2007. Apart from politics, Dawson was at the time of his death Grand Master of the Independent Orange Institution, chairman of the Riada Credit Union and of the Caleb Foundation, Treasurer and Council member of the Evangelical Protestant Society
Evangelical Protestant Society
The Evangelical Protestant Society was founded in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1946. Today, it is stronger than ever, with thousands of supporters , not only in Northern Ireland, but in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, Europe, Northern America and Australasia...
and a trustee in TIDY Northern Ireland
TIDY Northern Ireland
TIDY Northern Ireland is a non-profit environmental organisation that runs the "Keep Northern Ireland Tidy Campaign", and manages a number of local environmental quality programmes such as Blue Flag, Borough Cleanliness Survey, TIDY Communities, TIDY Business and Eco-Schools.-Overview:TIDY Northern...
.
He was survived by his wife Vi and their two daughters, Emma and Sarah.
He was replaced as MLA by Alastair Ian Ross on 14 May 2007.http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/membership07.htm