Michael Copeland
Michael Copeland MLA | |
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150px | |
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast East |
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In office 5 May 2010 – 7 September 2015 |
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Preceded by | Sir Reg Empey |
Succeeded by | Andy Allen |
In office 26 November 2003 – 7 March 2007 |
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Preceded by | Ian Adamson |
Succeeded by | Wallace Browne |
Personal details | |
Born | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
23 June 1954
Nationality | British |
Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
Spouse(s) | Sonia Copeland |
Children | Sarah Matthew |
Residence | Cherryvalley, Belfast |
Alma mater | Sandhurst |
Occupation | Politician |
Profession | Military Officer |
Religion | Anglican |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/branch | British Army |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | Ulster Defence Regiment |
Battles/wars | The Troubles |
Michael Copeland (born 23 June 1954) is a former unionist MLA from Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Copeland was born in Belfast and was educated at Lisnasharragh Primary School, Lisnasharragh Secondary School, Castlereagh College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst becoming a lieutenant of the Ulster Defence Regiment, HM Armed Forces.
Political Career
Copeland was first elected to Castlereagh Borough Council in 2001 and in May 2002 was elected Deputy Mayor of Castlereagh.
In 2002, he was elected chairman of Castlereagh District Policing Partnership. He later resigned in protest at the treatment of the RUC full-time Reserve. He also served as Director of Castlereagh Local Strategy Partnership.
After defeating incumbent MLA Ian Adamson for the East Belfast UUP nomination for the 2003 Assembly Election he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He was re-selected to stand for the constituency in the elections in 2007 but lost his seat. Copeland remains an extremely active figure in local governmental politics within Northern Ireland: maintaining a keen interest in domestic, socioeconomic and housing problems. He was re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly as MLA for East Belfast in the Assembly Elections in May 2011.
A member of the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution, Copeland has served as the party's Parades spokesman.
He stepped down from the Assembly due to health reasons was replaced by Andy Allen.[1][2]
Views
Copeland has spoken in favour of same-sex marriage, saying he "backed the change."[3]
Personal
His wife Sonia was elected to Belfast City Council in the Northern Ireland local elections, 2014. [4] She represents the Titanic ward. They have two children and he is a member of the Church of Ireland.
References
External links
- Michael Copeland MLA - Official Website as at 4 January 2014
- NI Assembly biography
- Stratagem biography
- Castlereagh Council biography as at 28 August 2008
Northern Ireland Assembly | ||
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Preceded by | MLA for Belfast East 2003 - 2007 |
Succeeded by Wallace Browne |
Preceded by | MLA for Belfast East 2011–2015 |
Succeeded by Andy Allen |
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- Pages with broken file links
- 1954 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Belfast
- Ulster Defence Regiment officers
- Ulster Unionist Party politicians
- Northern Ireland MLAs 2003–07
- Northern Ireland MLAs 2011–
- Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
- Councillors in Northern Ireland