James McClure (Unionist politician)
William James McClure MBE (15 June 1926 – 3 August 2014)[1] was a Northern Irish unionist politician, based in Coleraine, who served as President of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).[2]
James McClure | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the Democratic Unionist Party | |
| In office 1981–2000 | |
| Preceded by | William Beattie |
| Succeeded by | Maurice Morrow |
| Mayor of Coleraine | |
| In office 1997–1999 | |
| Preceded by | Pauline Armitage |
| Succeeded by | Norman Hillis |
| In office 1983–1984 | |
| Preceded by | G.A. Mcllrath |
| Succeeded by | William King |
| Member of Coleraine Borough Council | |
| In office 19 May 1993 – 22 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Coleraine Central |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 19 May 1993 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Coleraine Town |
| In office 18 May 1977 – 15 May 1985 | |
| Preceded by | James Edwards |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Coleraine Area C |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Londonderry | |
| In office 20 October 1982 – 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Assembly reconvened |
| Succeeded by | Assembly dissolved |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention for Londonderry | |
| In office 1975–1976 | |
| Preceded by | Convention established |
| Succeeded by | Convention dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 June 1926 Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 3 August 2014 |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist |
McClure was also a Coleraine Borough Councillor from 1977 to 2014.
Background edit
Political career edit
McClure was first elected in 1975 to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention representing Londonderry.[3] He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1982 for the same constituency.[4] In 1977, he was elected to Coleraine Borough Council, representing the Area C District.[5] serving as Mayor from 1983–84, and from 1997–99, and as Deputy Mayor from 1982–83, 1985–93, and 2004–05. He served on the .
McClure remained a councillor until the reform of local government in 2014, which saw Coleraine Borough Council merge with the Limavady, Ballymoney and Moyle boroughs to create the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Personal life and death edit
McClure was a fundamentalist Protestant and a member of the Independent Orange Order. He was 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."[6]
McClure died on 3 August 2014 at the age of 88.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Obituary: James McClure 1926-2014". NewsLetter. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ Belfast Newsletter 08-08-08
- ^ Convention election results 1975 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, eoni.org.uk; accessed 1 June 2017.
- ^ Londonderry election results, ark.ac.uk, accessed 2 June 2017
- ^ Northern Ireland elections site
- ^ Belfast Newsletter, 15-07-08, Portglenone 12th speech, newsletter.co.uk; accessed 1 June 2017.
- ^ Former Coleraine DUP mayor James McClure dies, aged 88, bbc.co.uk; accessed 1 June 2017.