William Paul Girvan (born 6 July 1963)[3] is a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Antrim since 2017. Girvan is the DUP's Spokesperson for Transport.[4] He was previously a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for South Antrim from 2003 to 2007, and then from 2010 to 2017.
Paul Girvan | |
---|---|
Member of Parliament for South Antrim | |
Assumed office 8 June 2017 | |
Preceded by | Danny Kinahan |
Majority | 2,689 (6.3%) |
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Antrim | |
In office 1 July 2010 – 8 June 2017 | |
Preceded by | William McCrea |
Succeeded by | Trevor Clarke |
In office 26 November 2003 – 7 March 2007 | |
Preceded by | Norman Boyd |
Succeeded by | William McCrea |
Personal details | |
Born | William Paul Girvan[1] 6 July 1963[2] Ballyclare, Northern Ireland |
Nationality | British |
Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
Girvan was first elected to Newtownabbey Borough Council in 1997, representing the Ballyclare District, and was re-elected in 2001, 2005 and 2011. From 2002 to 2004, he served as Mayor of Newtownabbey, and has also served as Chair of the council's Development Committee.
In 2003, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, representing South Antrim.[5] He was deselected by the DUP in South Antrim in 2007,[6] but returned to the Assembly in 2010 when he was selected to replace William McCrea following his resignation.[7] In the 2017 general election, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for South Antrim,[8] having defeated the incumbent Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Member, Danny Kinahan.[9]
In March 2019, Girvan was one of 21 MPs who voted against LGBT inclusive sex and relationship education in English schools.[10][11]