By Violet Brown
EIGHTEEN years to the day after her first Assembly election victory, Michelle McIlveen was elected as deputy leader of the DUP.
The Strangford MLA has had a long interest in politics after graduating from Queen’s University with a degree in politics followed by a Masters degree in Irish politics.
She initially taught at Grosvenor Grammar School before taking up a management role in her family’s business – McIlveen Motors which was based in Newtownards.
She has lived in Ballygowan for over 30 years and her relationship with the DUP goes back to her upbringing as part of the congregation of Martyrs Memorial Church in Belfast where DUP founder Dr Ian Paisley was minister.
“I really learned my politics from him,” she said. “I was 14 when the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed and it was one of the most pivotal moments for me – it sparked my interest in what was happening in Northern Ireland and in the future of Northern Ireland”.
During her student years Miss McIlveen was involved in the student council and in broader unionist politics.
“Although I was actively involved in the background of the party, attending conferences, it was early 2000 before I actually joined the DUP”. In 2004 she was selected to run for a seat on Ards Borough Council to which she was elected in 2005.
Her first Assembly election was on March 7, 2007 and she was elected as an MLA for Strangford alongside her DUP colleagues Iris Robinson, Jim Shannon and Simon Hamilton.
The following year she became party secretary, replacing Nigel Dodds when he moved on to become deputy leader of the party.
Miss McIlveen has held various positions in the assembly, including chair of several committees. She served as junior minister and Regional Development minister when Peter Robinson was party leader; Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs when Arlene Foster was leader of the DUP; and Education minister under the leadership of both Edwin Poots and Jeffrey Donaldson.
“I never dreamed that I would be elected as deputy leader of the party,” Miss McIlveen said. “I am very humbled and honoured to take up the post, particularly bearing in mind those who came before me – Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds, Paula Bradley and Gavin Robinson”.
She believes her experience as an elected representative and within the DUP will help her fulfil the role.
“I have a strong work ethic, a love for the party and a great love for Northern Ireland,” Miss McIlveen said. “I can bring forward a vision for Northern Ireland and work alongside Gavin to deliver that,” she added.
She said the next few years will be ‘particularly important’ for the DUP as the party prepared for the Assembly and local government elections which would take place on or before May 6, 2027.
“There is a huge amount of work to be done, engaging with others, for those elections,” she said. “It is vitally important as we move towards that date we work closely with other unionist parties – division within unionism is not helpful”.
Miss McIlveen reinforced her commitment to the people of Strangford and promised to continue to work hard for her constituents.
“While the deputy leader role is important, working for those who elected me is still vital,” she said.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon has congratulated his DUP colleague on her elevation to deputy leader.
“I have worked with Michelle since her election to council in 2005, and the last 20 years of public service have shown her to be honest, loyal, to possess a work ethic which is second to none, and to have compassion and love for her community,” he said.
