Lindsay Mason
{{Short description|Northern Irish unionist politician and businessman}}
{{for|the American football player|Lindsey Mason}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Lindsay Mason
|office = Member of Larne Borough Council
|constituency = Larne Town
|term_start = 19 May 1993
|term_end = 25 August 2006
|predecessor = Pat Buckley
|successor = Michael Lynch
|office1 = Leader of the Ulster Constitution Party
|term_start1 = 1971
|term_end1 = 1974
|predecessor1 = Party created
|successor1 = Party dissolved
|office2 = Member of Belfast City Council
|constituency2 = Lower Falls
|term_start2 = 1972
|term_end2 = 30 May 1973
|predecessor2 =
|successor2 = District abolished
|birth_date = April 1942
|birth_place = Larne, Northern Ireland
|death_date = 25 August 2006
|party = Independent Unionist (from 1977)
Ulster Constitution Party (1971–1974)
|otherparty = National Front (1974–1977)
}}
Robert Lindsay Mason (April 1942 – 25 August 2006), known as Lindsay Mason, was a Northern Irish unionist politician and businessman. Known as something of an eccentric, Mason's entire career in politics was spent outside the major unionist parties such as the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party.
Early life
Born in Larne, Mason was the son of a local paper mill manager."[http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/tuesday-august-29-colourful-councillor-dies-at-64-1-1841359 Colourful councillor dies at 64]", News Letter, 29 August 2006 He studied at the Royal School Dungannon and Vernon College before becoming an antiques dealer."[http://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/local-news/he-did-it-his-way-1-1703488 He did it his way]", Larne Times, 31 August 2006
Mason became involved in Ulster loyalism, running a weekly stall in Belfast City Centre which sold newspapers published by the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force, alongside his own publication, the Ulster Constitution. In 1971, he founded the far right Ulster Constitution Party with David Riddelsdell, a group described by David Kerr as "ultra-loyalist".Ciarán Ó Maoláin, The Radical Right: A World History, p. 334
Belfast City Council
In 1972, he was elected to Belfast City Council in a by-election, representing the predominantly Catholic Lower Falls, although this victory was only achieved because all the Irish nationalist and republican parties refused to nominate candidates, in protest at the introduction of internment.David Kerr, "[http://www.civilliberty.org.uk/resources/nf_ulster.html The history of the National Front in Ulster]", Civil Liberty Mason had been elected unopposed as no other unionist candidates had stood although he did not campaign on the Falls for safety reasons, stating "I am sure there are a few trigger happy republicans in there and I don't want to take the risk of being a handy target for one of them".O'Doherty (2007), p. 93. According to Malachi O'Doherty Mason had to ask permission from his mother, with whom he lived, to go on to the Falls when, following the election, O'Doherty suggested they have a photoshoot for the new councillor on the road.O'Doherty (2007), p. 94.
Due to his eccentricities and the fact that he wasn't tied to any major party, Mason received wide coverage in the local press whilst a member of the council.O'Doherty (2007), p. 104. He held regular loyalist protest meetings inside Belfast City Hall and at one of these a group of female supporters attacked Social Democratic and Labour Party member Paddy Wilson, attempting to tear off his clothing following an ambush from which Wilson was forced to flee.O'Doherty (2007), p. 214. While a sitting councillor, his firearm licence was withdrawn by the police, and he instead purchased a bow and arrow, with which he patrolled his local streets."[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/flamboyant-political-maverick-dies-aged-64-28099191.html Flamboyant political maverick dies aged 64]", Belfast Telegraph, 28 August 2006
Off the council
Following a review of local government in Northern Ireland, Belfast's council wards were redrawn in 1973, and Mason lost his seat in the ensuing election."[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgbelfast.htm The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Belfast]", Northern Ireland Elections One month later, he stood for East Belfast at the 1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, but was not elected."[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/ceb.htm East Belfast 1973–82]", Northern Ireland Elections
In 1974, Mason joined the British National Front, merging the Constitution Party into it. He stood for Ards Borough Council at the 1977 Northern Ireland local elections, describing himself as an "independent Protestant loyalist", but was not successful."[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgards.htm The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Ards]", Northern Ireland Elections Following this defeat, he relocated to Penarth in Wales, where he ran the antiques shop "Beautiful Things".
Larne
Mason returned to Northern Ireland in the mid-1980s, suffering a major heart attack on the journey over, but he established a new antiques shop in Larne, and became a well-known character in the town, wearing colourful tracksuits and baseball caps, and driving a pink Cadillac El Dorado. In 1993, he stood for Larne Borough Council as an independent anti-corruption candidate, and was elected. He announced his intent to stand for election by declaring "I'm going to drag the council into the 1990s, but I'll do it gradually and get them into the 1790s first".[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/robert-lindsay-mason-wont-easily-be-forgotten-28030077.html "Robert Lindsay Mason won't easily be forgotten"] David Gordon Belfast Telegraph 29 August 2005 Retrieved 6 June 2014 He pursued various environmental campaigns, and held his seat in 1997, 2001 and 2005,"[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/lglarne.htm Larne Borough Council Elections 1993–2011]", Northern Ireland Elections claiming that he was not a good councillor, but was re-elected as the other candidates were worse. He was known for his flamboyant style of dress whilst attending council meetings in Larne, typically wearing tracksuit bottoms, Nike Air Max trainers and a multi-coloured jersey in a chamber where suits were standard attire.{{Cite news |last= McKee |title= Men With a Bit of Style |newspaper= The News Letter |accessdate= 19 May 2014 |date= 3 November 1999 |first= Ross |url= https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-60145396 }}{{dead link|date=July 2021}} His style of canvassing was regarded as unorthodox as he carried a loudspeaker into Larne centre and engaged with passing shoppers. In 1997 he issued a call for members of the public to be allowed to view council meetings.[http://www.newtownabbeytoday.co.uk/news/local-news/1997-1-1705996 "1997 Archives"] Newtownabbey Times 27 December 2007 Retrieved 6 June 2014 When the new council building in Larne was officially opened by a member of the Royal Family, Mason held a protest outside the building complaining of the cost to build it. He frequently engaged in heated arguments with other councillors, and was removed by police from the council chamber on several occasions. On one such occasion in 2002 Mason had his removal from the council chambers examined by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Mason had been removed following a fiery argument with mayor Bobby McKee.{{Cite news |last= Gordon |title= Watchdog to probe ejection of councillor Spotlight on PSNI role in expulsion |newspaper= The News Letter |accessdate= 19 May 2014 |date= 13 November 2002 |first= David |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10677506.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085832/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10677506.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 June 2014 }} He was also noted for a campaign against the financial interests of Roy Beggs, which resulted in Beggs being investigated by Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Elizabeth Filkin regarding undeclared business interests.{{Cite news |last= Gordon |title= Beggs to Face Fresh Probe in Commons |newspaper= Belfast Telegraph |accessdate= 19 May 2014 |date= 26 September 2001 |first= David |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19162553.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140629084323/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19162553.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 June 2014 }} As a result of the investigation, Beggs was forced to pay back over £2000 in expenses.{{Cite news |last= Gordon |title= Unionist MP repays expenses after row; Beggs rapped by watchdog |newspaper= Belfast Telegraph |accessdate= 19 May 2014 |date= 31 October 2001 |first= David |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19167538.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085827/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19167538.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 June 2014 }}
He was less successful in national elections, failing to win a seat in East Antrim at the 1997 and 2001 general elections, and in the Assembly constituency in 1998 and 2003."[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/aea.htm East Antrim]", Northern Ireland Elections In 1998 he ran as an independent pro-Belfast Agreement candidate, with his campaign largely focussing on what he saw as the lack of commitment to the deal from the Ulster Unionist Party.{{Cite news |title= Hustings (News) |newspaper= The News Letter |accessdate= 19 May 2014 |date= 12 June 1998 |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60738531.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085829/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60738531.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 June 2014 }}
Death
Mason died as a result of heart failure. In the months leading up to his death he was in steadily decreasing health. He had asthma and breathing problems. Fellow councillor and friend Danny O'Connor had mentioned family bereavements including his mother and aunt had taken a toll on Mason's health. He was buried in Clandeboye cemetery in Bangor.
Personal life
Outside politics, Mason was known for having Asperger syndrome, his close attachment to his pet dog Honey, his love of rave music – he spent his 54th birthday at an all-night rave – and for regularly calling into radio discussion programmes. On one occasion, he was selected as a reserve for the television quiz Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, although he did not appear on the show.
References
{{Reflist}}
Sources
- {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJQjGQAACAAJ&q=telling+year|first=Malachi|last=O'Doherty|authorlink=Malachi O'Doherty|title=The Telling Year: Belfast 1972|publisher=Gill & Macmillan Ltd.|year=2007|isbn=9780717141906}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, Lindsay}}
Category:Independent politicians in Northern Ireland
Category:Members of Belfast City Council
Category:Members of Larne Borough Council
Category:National Front (UK) politicians
Category:People educated at the Royal School Dungannon
Category:People with Asperger syndrome
Category:British politicians with disabilities
Category:People from Northern Ireland with disabilities