During my time as your Member of Parliament, I have worked to address the needs of my constituents and of the local communities that I represent. As a result of our combined efforts it can be said that today Lagan Valley is a better place in which to live and work. Whilst we now have the lowest unemployment in Northern Ireland at just 1.4%, I am working closely with local business and government agencies to create thousands of new job opportunities for local people. This includes the prospect of multi-million pound developments at Sprucefield and other major facilities located on the site of the former Maze prison. I am also working with my colleagues to regenerate Lisburn, Dromore and other urban areas and to ensure that rural communities across the Lagan Valley area also receive their fair share of investment in public services. 

As a Minister in the Office of the First Minister, I am committed to ensuring that Northern Ireland moves forward to a stable and peaceful future.  I want our children and young people to have the best start in life with a strong education system and the prospect of a decent job when they begin their careers.  The past has seen much hurt and pain for people here and in my role as Minister with responsibility for victims issues, I will do all that I can to provide those who have suffered so much with the support and recognition that they undoubtedly deserve.

I firmly believe that the Democratic Unionist Party is providing Northern Ireland with the strong leadership that is needed to help us move into the future with renewed confidence.  There is much to do and together with my colleagues, I will play my part in building that better future.

Education

- Kilkeel High School
- Castlereagh College, Belfast

Political Career

- 1983 - 1985 Agent to Rt. Hon. Enoch Powell MP.

- 1985 - 1986 Member, Northern Ireland Assembly. 

- 1997 - date Member of Parliament (Lagan Valley).

- 2003 - date Member of Northern Ireland Assembly.                     

- 2005 - date Alderman, Lisburn City Council. 

- 2007 - date Member, Her Majesty's Privy Council.

- 2008 - June 2009 Junior Minister, Office of the First Minister

Membership

- A member of the Loyal Orders

Interests

- Presbyterian Church.
- Walking.
- Historical Buildings and Battlefields.
- Ulster Scots culture.