George Dawson (politician)

Infobox Politician | name=George Dawson MLA


width=144px
term_start=2003
term_end=2007
predecessor=
successor=
birth_date=birth date|1961|5|10|mf=y
birth_place=Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
death_date=death date and age|2007|5|7|1961|5|10
death_place=Northern Ireland
constituency=East Antrim
party=Democratic Unionist Party
office=MLA
spouse=Vi Dawson
website=http://www.georgedawson.org/

George Dawson (May 10, 1961 - May 7, 2007) was a Northern Irish politician and a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) since 1979. He was an MLA for East Antrim from November 2004 until his death following a short battle with cancer.

Dawson held a number of positions within the structure of the party, of which his father was a founding member. Most recently he acted as Sammy Wilson MP’s campaign manager in the 2005 General Election win in East Antrim. He also advised Jim Allister QC, MEP on Economic and Environmental issues.

Born in Lurgan, County Armagh, and educated at Banbridge Academy, Dawson went on to study English and Modern History at Queen's University, Belfast. After graduating from Queens University Belfast in 1983, he entered the world of business, becoming a managing director with an international company in which he had responsibilities in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and North Africa. Dawson was involved in promoting Corporate Social Responsibility within the business community in Northern Ireland. He was instrumental in establishing a number of Credit Unions in recent years.

George Dawson was one of three DUP candidates who were elected from East Antrim in the Northern Ireland Assembly election of November 2003 and later was DUP spokesperson on Energy and the Economy. Dawson also represented the DUP on the Economic Development Forum and Advisory Council for Infrastructure Investment.

Dawson died on Monday, May 7, 2007. Apart from politics, Dawson was at the time of his death Grand Master of the Independent Orange Institution, chairman of the Riada Credit Union and of the Caleb Foundation, Treasurer and Council member of the Evangelical Protestant Society and a trustee in TIDY Northern Ireland.

He was survived by his wife Vi and their two daughters.

He was replaced as MLA by Alastair Ian Ross on 14 May 2007. [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/membership07.htm]

External links

* [http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_03/dawson_g.htm NI Assembly webpage]
* [http://www.georgedawson.org Official Website of George Dawson MLA]