James McClure (Northern Irish politician)
Encyclopedia
William James McClure MBE is a Unionist politician based in Coleraine
, Northern Ireland
. He is President of the Democratic Unionist Party
McClure was first elected in 1975 to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
representing Londonderry
. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1982 for the same constituency.
In 1977 he was elected to Coleraine Borough Council
and has remained a member since then, serving as Mayor from 1983-1984 and from 1997-1999. He also held the post of Deputy Mayor from 1982-1983, 1985-1993 and 2004-2005. He also currently serves on the Coleraine district policing partnership.
McClure is a fundamentalist Protestant
and a member of the Independent Orange Order
. He is an opponent of commercial trading, gambling and football games being played on Sundays, arguing that: "The Christian Sabbath is a day for God not for gambling. It is a day for worshipping the Saviour, not for sport."
Coleraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. He is President of the Democratic Unionist Party
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...
McClure was first elected in 1975 to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
The Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention was an elected body set up in 1975 by the UK Labour government of Harold Wilson as an attempt to deal with constitutional issues surrounding the status of Northern Ireland....
representing Londonderry
Londonderry (Assembly constituency)
Londonderry was a constituency used for the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973. Members were then elected from the constituency to the 1975 Constitutional Convention and the 1982 Assembly...
. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1982 for the same constituency.
In 1977 he was elected to Coleraine Borough Council
Coleraine Borough Council
Coleraine Borough Council is a local council mainly in County Londonderry and partly in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Its headquarters are in the town of Coleraine. Small towns in the area include Garvagh, Portrush, Portstewart and Kilrea...
and has remained a member since then, serving as Mayor from 1983-1984 and from 1997-1999. He also held the post of Deputy Mayor from 1982-1983, 1985-1993 and 2004-2005. He also currently serves on the Coleraine district policing partnership.
McClure is a fundamentalist Protestant
Fundamentalist Christianity
Christian fundamentalism, also known as Fundamentalist Christianity, or Fundamentalism, arose out of British and American Protestantism in the late 19th century and early 20th century among evangelical Christians...
and a member of the Independent Orange Order
Independent Orange Order
The Independent Loyal Orange Institution is an off-shoot of the Orange Institution, a Protestant fraternal organisation based in Northern Ireland.-Foundation:...
. He is an opponent of commercial trading, gambling and football games being played on Sundays, arguing that: "The Christian Sabbath is a day for God not for gambling. It is a day for worshipping the Saviour, not for sport."