James Craig (Northern Ireland politician)
Encyclopedia
James Craig was a Unionist politician from Northern Ireland
who was a founder member of, and early leading figure in, the Democratic Unionist Party
.
Educated at Larne Grammar School
, Craig became a foreman for the Courtaulds
company. Politically he was somewhat outside the establishment of the Ulster Unionist Party
but nonetheless was able to gain local representation as an Independent Unionist
, serving as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council
from 1962 onwards, including a spell as deputy mayor from 1973-4. He also served as a member of the Northern Ireland Housing Council from 1973-4.
He attempted to gain election to the Parliament of Northern Ireland
for Carrick in the 1969 election
but lost to UUP Anne Dickson
However Craig's profile rose somewhat with the formation of the DUP in 1971. He was a founder member of the party and also sat on its executive until his death, whilst chairing the Carrickfergus
branch of the party. As a consequence Craig was elected to the 1973 Assembly
for North Antrim
and was DUP chief whip.
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...
who was a founder member of, and early leading figure in, 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...
.
Educated at Larne Grammar School
Larne Grammar School
Larne Grammar School is a co-education voluntary grammar school located in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1886 by Sir Edward Coey and John Crawford, it has around 760 pupils and 50 teaching staff.-Past Headmasters:R.M Jones...
, Craig became a foreman for the Courtaulds
Courtaulds
Courtaulds was a United Kingdom-based manufacturer of fabric, clothing, artificial fibres, and chemicals.-Foundation:The Company was founded by George Courtauld and his cousin Peter Taylor in 1794 as a silk, crepe and textile business at Pebmarsh in north Essex trading as George Courtauld & Co...
company. Politically he was somewhat outside the establishment of the Ulster Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
but nonetheless was able to gain local representation as an Independent Unionist
Independent Unionist
See also Independent .Independent Unionist has been a label sometimes used by candidates in elections in the United Kingdom, indicating a support for Unionism, retaining the unity of the British state....
, serving as a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council
Carrickfergus Borough Council
Carrickfergus Borough Council is a district council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The council headquarters are in Carrickfergus and the council administers the town, on the north shore of Belfast Lough, and surrounding area, which extends from Greenisland in the south-west to Whitehead in...
from 1962 onwards, including a spell as deputy mayor from 1973-4. He also served as a member of the Northern Ireland Housing Council from 1973-4.
He attempted to gain election to the Parliament of Northern Ireland
Parliament of Northern Ireland
The Parliament of Northern Ireland was the home rule legislature of Northern Ireland, created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which sat from 7 June 1921 to 30 March 1972, when it was suspended...
for Carrick in the 1969 election
Northern Ireland general election, 1969
-References:*...
but lost to UUP Anne Dickson
Anne Dickson
Anne Letitia Dickson is a former Northern Ireland Unionist politician.Born in London, she moved with her family to Northern Ireland at an early age and was educated at Holywood and Richmond Lodge School. After service as the Chair of the Northern Ireland Advisory Board of the Salvation Army she...
However Craig's profile rose somewhat with the formation of the DUP in 1971. He was a founder member of the party and also sat on its executive until his death, whilst chairing the Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
branch of the party. As a consequence Craig was elected to the 1973 Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly (1973)
The Northern Ireland Assembly was a legislative assembly set up by the Government of the United Kingdom on 3 May 1973 to restore devolved government to Northern Ireland with the power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive made up of unionists and nationalists....
for North Antrim
North Antrim (Assembly constituency)
North Antrim is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973...
and was DUP chief whip.