Gavin Robinson
{{Short description|British politician (born 1984)}}
{{for|the South African model agent|Gavin Robinson (model agent)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Right Honourable
| name = Gavin Robinson
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| image = Official portrait of Gavin Robinson MP crop 2.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2019
| office = Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
| deputy = Michelle McIlveen
| term_start = 29 May 2024
Interim: 29 March 2024 – 29 May 2024
| term_end =
| predecessor = Jeffrey Donaldson
| successor =
| office1 = Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in the House of Commons
| leader1 = Himself{{efn|name=DUPLeader|As Interim Leader of the DUP from 29 March to 20 May 2024.}}
| term_start1 = 29 March 2024
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Jeffrey Donaldson
| successor1 =
| office2 = Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
| term_start2 = 9 June 2023
| term_end2 = 29 May 2024
| leader2 = Jeffrey Donaldson
Himself{{efn|name=DUPLeader}}
| predecessor2 = Paula Bradley
| successor2 = Michelle McIlveen (2025)
| office3 = Member of Parliament
for Belfast East
| term_start3 = 7 May 2015
| term_end3 =
| predecessor3 = Naomi Long
| successor3 =
| majority3 = 2,676 (6.2%)
| order4 = 69th Lord Mayor of Belfast
| deputy4 = Tierna Cunningham
| term_start4 = 1 June 2012
| term_end4 = 1 June 2013
| predecessor4 = Niall Ó Donnghaile
| successor4 = Máirtín Ó Muilleoir
| office5 = Member of the Belfast City Council
| term_start5 = 22 May 2014
| term_end5 = 7 May 2015
| predecessor5 = District created
| successor5 = Brian Kennedy
| constituency5 = Titanic
| term_start6 = 1 March 2010
| term_end6 = 22 May 2014
| predecessor6 = Sammy Wilson
| successor6 = District abolished
| constituency6 = Pottinger
| birth_name = Gavin James Robinson{{London Gazette |issue=61230 |date=18 May 2015 |page=9128}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|11|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Belfast, Northern Ireland
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = British
| party = Democratic Unionist Party
| spouse = Lindsay
| children = 1 son
| alma_mater = Queen's University
| profession = Barrister
}}
Gavin James Robinson (born 22 November 1984) is a Northern Irish unionist politician and barrister who has been serving as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) since March 2024.{{efn|name=DUPLeader}}{{cite web|url=https://mydup.com/news/dup-statement-3|accessdate=29 March 2024|title=DUP Statement
}} He served as Deputy DUP Leader from June 2023 to May 2024. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Belfast East in the UK House of Commons since the 2015 general election. He was Lord Mayor of Belfast in 2012–2013.{{cite news|title=BBC News – DUP's Gavin Robinson is new Lord Mayor of Belfast|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18297567|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201065322/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18297567|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live|work=BBC News|date=June 2012|access-date=5 June 2015}} Robinson is the DUP Spokesperson for Defence and Home Affairs.{{Cite web |title=Gavin Robinson MP |url=https://mydup.com/our-team/gavin-robinson |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=DUP |language=en}}
Background
Robinson is a lifelong East Belfast resident. He attended Grosvenor Grammar School in East Belfast, and then Ulster University where he obtained a degree in law and government, before attending Queen's University Belfast, where he attained a Masters in Irish Politics. He briefly worked as a children's entertainer before commencing practice as a barrister.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=Who is DUP leader Gavin Robinson? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ggkp1vr75o |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}
Political career
=Belfast City Council=
Robinson was co-opted to Belfast City Council in March 2010 to replace Sammy Wilson in representing the Pottinger electoral area of South and East Belfast.{{cite web|author=Staff|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/robinson-is-new-belfast-lord-mayor-1-3912206|title=Robinson is new Belfast Lord Mayor|publisher=Newsletter.co.uk|access-date=5 June 2015}}
He was returned to the council as an alderman in the 2011 local elections and elected Lord Mayor by the council for the year beginning 1 June 2012. He was a member of the East Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership subgroup and represented the council on the boards of the Ulster Orchestra and the 2013 World Police and Fire Games held in Belfast.
Robinson was elected for the successor Titanic District at the 2014 City Council election.{{cite web|title = Belfast City Council Elections 2014|url = https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/nlgbcc.html|website = Ark elections|access-date = 6 January 2025}}
=Parliamentary career=
Ahead of the 2015 general election, Robinson was selected by the DUP as their candidate for Belfast East, standing against Naomi Long, deputy leader of the Alliance Party, and the incumbent MP.{{cite news|title = The box-office parliamentary battle for East Belfast|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-northern-ireland-32352404|work = BBC News|date = 17 April 2015|access-date = 2 January 2025}} He was endorsed by the Ulster Unionist Party, who stood aside as part of a pact with the DUP, in which the two parties would not stand candidates against each other in four constituencies.{{cite news|title = Election 2015: DUP and UUP agree pact in four constituencies|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-31930496|work = BBC News|date = 18 March 2015|access-date = 2 January 2025}} Robinson unseated Long, receiving 49.3% of the vote, with a majority of 2,597.{{cite web|title = Election result for Belfast East (Constituency)|url = https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/3314/election/369|website = UK Parliament|access-date = 2 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = General Election 2015: DUP's Gavin Robinson ousts Alliance's Naomi Long in East Belfast|url = https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2017/general-election-2015-dups-gavin-robinson-ousts-alliances-naomi-long-in-east-belfast/31205270.html|work = Belfast Telegraph|date = 8 May 2015|access-date = 2 January 2025}}
During his acceptance speech, he caused controversy by saying that the "last five long years are over", in relation to Long's term of office. He also said: "When people of East Belfast were asked to vote for a shared future, they chose to share that future with somebody they can trust, rather than back a party that are only interested in offering us a future if we share their view". Due to these remarks, he was criticised by Kyle Paisley, son of Ian Paisley, and David Ford, leader of the Alliance Party, the former who said: "You'd think he would have had a bit more humility when he made his acceptance speech last night, but it was quite disgraceful in some parts." Long herself said: "Let's just say his party leader was more magnanimous in defeat than he was in victory. "At this stage in my political career, what the DUP say and do never comes as a shock to me." The following day, Robinson admitted that he should have been more gracious towards Long: "Set party politics aside, I think Naomi Long is a formidable politician. I didn't say it in my speech last night, as I say, I'm reflecting this morning as it's been long and difficult.
There should have been scope for me to recognise her contribution."{{cite news|title = Gavin Robinson: Acceptance speech 'disgraceful' says Kyle Paisley|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-northern-ireland-32661768|work = BBC News|date = 8 May 2015|access-date = 3 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = Alliance's Naomi Long: "What DUP do never shocks me"|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/election-2015-northern-ireland-32657517|work = BBC News|date = 8 May 2015|access-date = 3 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = Gavin Robinson: "New dawn in East Belfast"|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02qwkz8|work = BBC News|access-date = 3 January 2025}}{{cite web|title = Gavin Robinson accused of 'ungracious' acceptance speech…|url = https://sluggerotoole.com/2015/05/08/gavin-robinson-accused-of-ungracious-acceptance-speech/|website = Slugger O'Toole|date = 8 May 2015|access-date = 3 January 2025}}
Robinson was re-elected at the 2017 general election, taking 55.8% of the vote, and increased his majority to 8,474.{{cite web|title = Election result for Belfast East (Constituency)|url = https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/3314/election/377|website = UK Parliament|access-date = 3 January 2025}}
In March 2019, Robinson was one of 21 MPs who voted against LGBT-inclusive sex and relationship education in English schools.{{Cite web |last=Butterworth |first=Benjamin |date=28 March 2019 |title=MPS vote to back LGBT inclusive relationship education from age 5 |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/education/lgbt-sex-relationship-education-mps-support/ |access-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330104814/https://inews.co.uk/news/education/lgbt-sex-relationship-education-mps-support/ |archive-date=30 March 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Barlett |first=Nicola |date=28 March 2019 |title=21 MPS who voted against teaching kids about gay families |website=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/21-mps-who-voted-against-14198149 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330093652/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/21-mps-who-voted-against-14198149 |archive-date=30 March 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/650#noes |title=Draft Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 - CommonsVotes |access-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025226/https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/650#noes |archive-date=29 March 2019 |url-status=dead}} He is nevertheless considered a relatively liberal member of the DUP.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3ggkp1vr75o | title=Who is DUP leader Gavin Robinson? | date=6 June 2024 }}
He retained his seat at the December 2019 general election with a majority of just 1,819, following a strong performance from Naomi Long.{{cite web|title = Election result for Belfast East (Constituency)|url = https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/3314/election/397|website = UK Parliament|access-date = 4 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = Belfast East parliamentary constituency|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/N06000001|work = BBC News|access-date = 4 January 2025}}
Incidentally, Robinson became the only unionist MP in Belfast, after party colleagues Nigel Dodds and Emma Little-Pengelly lost their seats.{{cite news|title = Belfast East: Gavin Robinson returned as city’s only unionist MP|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/belfast-east-gavin-robinson-returned-as-city-s-only-unionist-mp-1.4112213|work = Irish Times|date = 13 December 2019|access-date = 5 January 2025}}
In June 2023, Robinson put his name forward to be the next deputy leader of the DUP, following Paula Bradley's resignation.{{cite news|title = Brendan Hughes: Low-key deputy leadership of DUP's Paula Bradley was a missed opportunity|url = https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/news-opinion/brendan-hughes-low-key-deputy-27082279|work = Belfast Live|date = 10 June 2023|access-date = 9 January 2025}} A Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Upper Bann, Jonathan Buckley, also ran for the position.{{cite news|title = DUP: Jonathan Buckley and Gavin Robinson run for deputy leadership|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65850120|work = BBC News|date = 9 June 2023|access-date = 9 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = DUP's Gavin Robinson and Jonathan Buckley tipped for deputy leader role|url = https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dups-gavin-robinson-jonathan-buckley-27070457|work = Belfast Live|date = 7 June 2023|access-date = 9 January 2025}}
After a vote of the party's MPs and MLAs, Robinson was announced as the new deputy leader on 9 June 2023.{{cite news|title = Gavin Robinson elected new DUP Deputy Leader|url = https://hellorayo.co.uk/cool-fm/local/news/gavin-robinson-wins-dup-deputy-leadership/|work = Hello Rayo|date = 9 June 2023|access-date = 4 January 2025}}{{cite web|title = Gavin Robinson MP|url = https://mydup.com/our-team/gavin-robinson|website = Democratic Unionist Party|access-date = 4 January 2025}} Following his election, he said: "I am honoured that I have been elected to serve as Deputy Leader. I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues at every level within the party as we seek to deliver on our election commitments.
A new generation of unionists are stepping forward to serve at every level within our party and in service to Northern Ireland. We all share the desire to play our part to help shape Northern Ireland into an even better place to live and work."{{cite web|title = Election of Leader and Deputy Leader|url = https://mydup.com/news/election-of-leader-deputy-leader|website = Democratic Unionist Party|date = 9 June 2023|access-date = 4 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = DUP: elected as DUP deputy leader|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65854553|work = BBC News|date = 9 June 2023|access-date = 4 January 2025}}
His appointment to the His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council was announced on 28 March 2024 as part of the 2024 Special Honours.{{cite web |title=Privy Council appointment: March 2024 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6605a221f9ab410011eea558/Announcement_Docs_Honours_and_Appts_28th.pdf |website=GOV.UK |access-date=28 March 2024 |date=28 March 2024}}
=Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party=
The day after his appointment to the Privy Council, Robinson was appointed interim leader of the DUP, following Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's resignation after being charged by the PSNI with rape and historic sex offences.{{cite news |title=DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigns after rape charge |work=BBC News |date=29 March 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68686691 |access-date=29 March 2024}}
He was ratified as DUP leader on 29 May 2024, after a meeting with the party's executive.{{cite news|title = Gavin Robinson ratified as DUP leader vowing to fight for Northern Ireland Protocol changes|url = https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2024-05-29/robinson-will-continue-irish-sea-border-fight-as-hes-ratified-as-dup-leader|work = ITV News|date = 30 May 2024|access-date = 4 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = WATCH: Gavin Robinson ratified as new DUP leader|url = https://hellorayo.co.uk/cool-fm/local/news/gavin-robinson-ratified-as-dup-leader/|website = Hello Rayo|date = 30 May 2024|access-date = 4 January 2025}}
At the party's campaign launch for the July 2024 general election, Robinson said that Irish Sea border had not been removed, contradicting the assurances Donaldson gave earlier in the year over the return of the Northern Ireland Executive.{{cite news|title = DUP's Gavin Robinson accepts party oversold deal|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp33kgypdp3o|work = BBC News|date = 30 May 2024|access-date = 5 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = Northern Ireland: what does the new post-Brexit deal mean?|url = https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/31/northern-ireland-what-does-the-new-post-brexit-deal-mean|work = The Guardian|date = 31 January 2024|access-date = 5 January 2025}}{{cite web|title = Gavin Robinson criticises deal negotiated by Gavin Robinson…|url = https://sluggerotoole.com/2024/05/30/gavin-robinson-criticises-deal-negotiated-by-gavin-robinson/|website = Slugger O'Toole|date = 30 May 2024|access-date = 5 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said the party should have displayed ‘cautious realism’ over Stormont deal|url = https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2024-05-30/dup-should-have-displayed-cautious-realism-over-stormont-deal-robinson|work = ITV News|date = 30 May 2024|access-date = 5 January 2025}} In Belfast East, Robinson and Long faced each other for the fourth consecutive election, in what was expected to be close race due to boundary changes and historical tactical voting in the constituency.{{cite news|title = Northern Ireland constituency profile: Belfast East|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wvn0033weo|work = BBC News|date = 2 July 2024|access-date = 9 January 2025}}{{cite news|title = DUP and Alliance leaders Robinson and Long in titanic tussle in East Belfast|url = https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/national/24420566.dup-alliance-leaders-robinson-long-titanic-tussle-east-belfast/|work = Eastern Daily Presence|date = 30 June 2024|access-date = 9 January 2025}} The presence of the rival Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), who split the unionist vote the last time they stood in 2010, were expected to pose another challenge for Robinson.{{cite news|title = General election 2010: Peter Robinson loses seat to Alliance party|url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/07/general-election-peter-robinson-loses-seat|work = The Guardian|date = 7 May 2010|access-date = 9 January 2025}} Ultimately, he was returned with an increased majority of 2,676 votes (6%), and a reduced share of 46.6%.{{cite news|title = Belfast East results|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/N05000001|work = BBC News|access-date = 9 January 2025}}{{cite web|title = Election for the constituency of Belfast East on 4 July 2024|url = https://electionresults.parliament.uk/elections/3286|website = UK Parliament|access-date = 9 January 2025}}
Personal life
Robinson is married to Lindsay, and they have a son. He is unrelated to former DUP leader and Belfast East MP Peter Robinson.{{cite news|title=Four Northern Ireland constituencies to watch|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/uk-election-2017/2017/0607/880842-northern-ireland-constituencies-to-watch/|work=RTÉ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612082712/https://www.rte.ie/news/uk-election-2017/2017/0607/880842-northern-ireland-constituencies-to-watch/|archive-date=12 June 2019|url-status=live|date=7 June 2017|access-date=8 June 2017|quote=Gavin Robinson (no relation of Peter’s)}}
He is a member of the Church of Ireland.{{cite news|title = Gavin Robinson: A progressive and liberal voice - the new man leading the DUP|url = https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/a-progressive-and-liberal-voice-the-new-man-leading-the-dup/a1888623193.html|work = Belfast Telegraph|date = 29 March 2024|access-date = 4 January 2025}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{UK MP links |parliament=gavin-robinson/4360 |publicwhip=Gavin_Robinson |theywork=gavin_robinson}}
- [https://wayback.archive-it.org/11112/20150306164052/http://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID%3D508 Gavin Robinson] at Belfast City Council
- {{C-SPAN|100488}}
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{{succession box | title=Lord Mayor of Belfast | before=Niall Ó Donnghaile | after=Máirtín Ó Muilleoir | years=2012–2013}}
{{s-par|uk}}
{{s-bef|before=Naomi Long}}
{{s-ttl
|title=Member of Parliament
for Belfast East
|years=2015–present
}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Jeffrey Donaldson}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party|years=2024-present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{MPs in Northern Ireland}}
{{Democratic Unionist Party}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Leaders of political parties in the United Kingdom}}
{{Northern Ireland party leaders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robinson, Gavin}}
Category:Converts to Anglicanism from Presbyterianism
Category:Democratic Unionist Party MPs
Category:Anglicans from Northern Ireland
Category:Lord mayors of Belfast
Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Belfast constituencies (since 1922)
Category:Alumni of Queen's University Belfast