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Mike Nesbitt

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For the American football coach and former player, seeMike Nesbitt (American football).

Mike Nesbitt
MLA
Nesbitt in 2020
Minister of Health
Assumed office
28 May 2024
First MinisterMichelle O'Neill
Preceded byRobin Swann
AssemblyPrivate Secretaryto theHealth Minister
In office
21 April 2024 – 28 May 2024
Minister of HealthRobin Swann
Ulster Unionist Partyspokesperson for theEconomy
In office
25 May 2021 – 28 May 2024
LeaderDoug Beattie
Succeeded bySteve Aiken(asFinancespokesperson)
15thLeader of the Ulster Unionist Party
In office
31 March 2012 – 8 April 2017
DeputyJohn McCallister
Robin Swann
Preceded byTom Elliott
Succeeded byRobin Swann
Member of the Legislative Assembly
forStrangford
Assumed office
5 May 2011
Preceded bySimpson Gibson
Personal details
Born(1957-05-11)11 May 1957(age 67)
Belfast,Northern Ireland
Political partyUlster Unionist Party
Spouse
Unknown
​
(before 1990)​
​
​
(m.1992;sep.2020)​
Children4
Alma materJesus College, Cambridge
Queen's University, Belfast
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionJournalist
Known forTelevision Presenter
Leader of the UUP

Michael Nesbitt,MLA(born 11 May 1957) is a Northern Irish politician and former broadcaster[1]currently serving as theMinister of Healthsince 28 May 2024. He was theLeader of the Ulster Unionist Party(UUP) from2012to 2017 and has been aMember of the Northern Ireland Assembly(MLA) forStrangfordsince2011.[2]

Nesbitt was appointed as the Ulster Unionist Party'sEconomyspokesperson byDoug Beattie,and was briefly theprivate secretaryto theHealth Minister,Robin Swann,in preparation for Nesbitt succeeding Swann.[3][4]

Broadcasting career[edit]

Nesbitt worked as a sports reporter atBBC Northern Irelandand progressed to presentingGood Morning UlsteronBBC Radio Ulsterfrom 1986 to 1990.[5]Nesbitt joinedUTVas a presenter and reporter in 1992, being joined by his wifeLynda Bryansto co-present evening news programmeUTV Livein 1996.[6]

Nesbitt and Bryans also co-presented weekly religious seriesSunday Morningfor Anglia Television from 1999 to 2001,[7]and two series of home and garden seriesHome Sweet Homefor UTV.[8]

Nesbitt also hostedCounterpoint[9]and made a guest appearance in comedy programmeEverything You Know Is Wrongin 1998.[9]

In 2006, Nesbitt announced he was not renewing his presenting contract with UTV.[5]His final edition ofUTV Livewas broadcast on 10 February 2006.[10]

Political career[edit]

In January 2008, Nesbitt was announced as a Commissioner of Victims and Survivors,[11]aNorthern Ireland Assemblyrole designed to promote the interests of victims ofthe Troubles.

Nesbitt resigned from the post on 17 February 2010 to become the parliamentary candidate for theUlster Conservatives and Unionists – New Forcein the constituency ofStrangford.[12]He lost out to theDemocratic Unionist Party'sJim Shannonin the election.[13]

In the2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election,Nesbitt was elected as one of six MLAs representing Strangford.[14]

Nesbitt has been the UUP representative on theNI Policing Boardsince July 2020.[15]

Nesbitt was the Ulster Unionist Party's Economy spokesperson. In this role, he called on theUnited Kingdom governmentto cut Northern Ireland'scorporation taxto appeal to businesses andU.S.investment inNI.[16]In August 2023, he called for duty free shopping for flights from Northern Ireland to theEUto be reinstated.[17]

Nesbitt voiced concerns over the safety implications of thePSNI data leak.Furthermore, he said that he was concerned for the "wellbeing of the officers and police staff."[18]Nesbitt also wrote to theChief ConstableSimon Byrneto ask for clarity over the theft of a police laptop.[19]

On August 22 2023, following an emergency meeting of thePolicing Board,Nesbitt called onPSNIleadership "to form a plan to improve the appalling levels of low confidence in the PSNI."[20]This came after a LucidTalk opinion poll revealed that public confidence in the PSNI was at its lowest ever.[21]

In 2024, Nesbitt was appointed as theprivate secretaryto theHealth Minister,Robin Swann,and succeeded Swann as Health Minister following his resignation following the calling of the2024 general election,in which Swann is a candidate.[22]

UUP party leader (2012–17)[edit]

Mike Nesbitt was elected as UUP party leader on 31 March 2012. He defeated South Down assembly memberJohn McCallisterwith a final vote tally of 536 votes to 129. Nesbitt said he wanted the UUP to become "the party of choice for every pro-union voter in Northern Ireland".[23]

In April 2012, Nesbitt announced that he wanted to make history by being the first leader of his party to attend aSinn Féinard fheis. He said: "We should be going to all the conferences of the main parties, not just theConservatives,LabourandLiberal Democrats."[24]

Shortly after his election, Nesbitt received attention when he criticised theAlliance Party,a rival party of the UUP. He called them "unprincipled and driven by self-interest" and said they presided over "a catalogue of disasters". He challenged their commitment to its core policy of a shared future, saying "I can only imagine the disappointment of Alliance voters hoping for a principled stance on a shared future." An Alliance spokesman retorted, saying "In last year's election the public showed growing support for the Alliance Party. These criticisms come from a newly elected leader with little experience who leads a party that is in decline at a time when Alliance is in the ascendant. We will not, therefore, be responding to these silly remarks."[25]

Nesbitt has tried to present a unionism which is more accommodating to aspects ofIrish culture;for example he visited the Gaeltacht Quarter on theFalls Road, Belfastas the first step in trying to overturn the perception of some that his party is hostile to theIrish language.[26][27]

Following the2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election,Nesbitt announced his intention to step down as party leader, which he did on 8 April 2017.[28]

Nesbitt is regarded as one of the more liberal unionists, he had previously stated his opposition to same-sex marriage, but spoke in favour in 2017.[29]His appeal to change the hands of leadership inNorthern Irelandwith theSocial Democratic and Labour PartyandAlliance Partyfell on the deaf ears ofNorthern Irishsociety in which theDemocratic Unionist PartyandSinn Féinclaimed an increased victory over the opposing parties. He has been compared to reforming and liberalUlster Unionist PartyPrime Minister of Northern IrelandTerence O'Neillby some historians and politicians.[citation needed]

Minister of Health (2024–present)[edit]

Appointment[edit]

Nesbitt succeededRobin SwannasHealth Ministerfollowing his resignation on 28 May 2024.[30][31]His appointment prompted a resignation from the UUP afterAntrim and Newtownabbey BoroughCouncillor Paul Michael resigned citing Nesbitt's breach of theCOVID-19regulationsduring thepandemicin which he was involved in an extramarital affair as the reason.[32]Nesbitt called being health minister "the political honour" of his life but also the "ultimate political challenge of my life."[33]

2024[edit]

May[edit]

On 29 May 2024, Nesbitt stated that he is not prepared to implement "catastrophic cuts" to services. He also vowed not to shirk hard or controversial decisions in the remaining three years of the Assembly mandate.[34]He also visited L'Arche Village inBelfastand presented certificates at the Orchardville Society's annual awards atTitanic Belfastin his first engagements. Nesbitt said that he would be a champion for both patients and healthcare staff.[35]

Nesbitt welcomed the increase in the number of people supporting organ donation in Northern Ireland following the one year anniversary of the introduction of Dáithi’s Law on 31 May 2024.[36]

June[edit]

On 3 June 2024, Nesbitt made his opening statement to theNorthern Ireland Assemblyas Health Minister.[37] Nesbitt stressed the importance of being aware of the dangers ofUVexposure on 5 June 2024. He visited Kirkinriola Primary School to take part in a Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Sun Scientist session.[38]

On 12 June 2024, Nesbitt said that the Health Inequalities Annual Report must be essential reading across all parts of public life in Northern Ireland, stating that health inequalities are ‘a challenge to us all.'[39]

Nesbitt congratulatedHealth and Social Carestaff honoured in the2024 Birthday Honourslist on 14 June 2024. He sent his "warmest congratulations to each and every person nominated."[40]

On 25 June 2024, Nesbitt welcomed the publication of final draft NICE guidance recommending use of the drugsKaftrio,OrkambiandSymkeviforcystic fibrosis.[41]

Nesbitt praised local health trusts after Northern Ireland became the first region in the UK to have all its diagnostic imaging services accredited on 26 June 2024.[42]

On 28 June 2024, Nesbitt praised a family-run GP surgery for its commitment to the rural community in SouthArmagh.[43]

July[edit]

Nesbitt welcomed additional in-year funding for theDepartment of Healthon 1 July 2024. However, he also said a "significant shortfall" remains in the department's budget.[44]

Personal life[edit]

Nesbitt was born inBelfast.[45]He attendedCampbell College, Belfast[46]and studied atJesus College, Cambridge.[5]

Since giving up broadcasting, Nesbitt and his wife set up their own independent media services company. Nesbitt worked for a public relations company between his careers at BBC Northern Ireland and UTV.[5]In April 2010, Nesbitt revealed that he had 2 daughters from a previous marriage with whom he has had no contact since his divorce from their mother.[47]

Nesbitt has four children.[1]

Nesbitt is one of two leaders of the UUP not to be a member of theOrange Order,the other beingSteve Aiken,who led the Party from 2019 to 2021. [48]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"'I could see myself getting old with Mike'"Belfast Telegraph, 29 February 2004; accessed 6 February 2009
  2. ^"Robin Swann becomes new UUP leader".BBC News.8 April 2017.
  3. ^"Strangford".UUP Live.Retrieved22 August2023.
  4. ^"Robin Swann to step down as health minister when election called as possible replacement named".BelfastTelegraph.co.uk.21 April 2024.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved21 April2024.
  5. ^abcd"Nesbitt quits UTV over contracts row"Belfast Telegraph, 2 February 2006, accessed 5 April 2009
  6. ^Lynda Bryans' profile on u.tvWebArchive.org, 11 July 2002, accessed 5 April 2009
  7. ^Michael Nesbitt's filmographyBFI Film and TV Database: accessed 5 April 2009
  8. ^"Home Sweet Home"BFI Film and TV Database: accessed 5 April 20/9
  9. ^abMike Nesbitt's filmographyBFI Film and TV Database: accessed 5 April 2009
  10. ^UTV Live Special – Mike Nesbitt's last dayArchived12 March 2007 at theWayback MachineUTV Today; accessed 5 April 2009
  11. ^"Victims' posts details revealed"BBC News, 28 January 2008
  12. ^"Nesbitt is UUP election candidate"BBC News, 17 February 2010, accessed 17 February 2010
  13. ^Strangford: Jim Shannon keeps Iris seat for the DUPBBC News, 7 May 2010
  14. ^"NI Assembly election results by stage – Strangford"(PDF).Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.Retrieved25 March2016.
  15. ^"The Board".nipolicingboard.org.uk.
  16. ^"UUP calls on Government to cut NI corporation tax".UUP Live.Retrieved8 August2023.
  17. ^"Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified".UUP Live.Retrieved8 August2023.
  18. ^"Nesbitt Voices Concern Over Safety Implications of Data Leak".UUP Live.Retrieved21 August2023.
  19. ^"UUP's Mike Nesbitt requests clarity over PSNI laptop theft".
  20. ^"Nesbitt Demands PSNI Leadership Restore Public And Staff Confidence Immediately".UUP Live.Retrieved22 August2023.
  21. ^"Do you have confidence in (a) the PSNI?, and (b) the Chief Constable: Simon Byrne?".Twitter.Retrieved22 August2023.
  22. ^"Robin Swann to step down as health minister when election called as possible replacement named".BelfastTelegraph.co.uk.21 April 2024.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved21 April2024.
  23. ^"Mike Nesbitt is new Ulster Unionist leader".BBC News.31 March 2012.Retrieved11 June2012.
  24. ^McAdam, Noel (5 April 2012)."Ulster Unionist chief Mike Nesbitt: I'll go to Sinn Féin ard fheis and sell Union to republicans".Belfast Telegraph.Retrieved11 June2012.
  25. ^"Unprincipled, self-interested... Mike Nesbitt lays into Alliance Party".Belfast Telegraph.23 April 2012.Retrieved11 June2012.
  26. ^"Nesbitt takes up Irish language invitation – Gaeltacht Quarter visit by the UUP leader".Andersonstown News. 5 December 2015.[permanent dead link]
  27. ^"Confident Mike Nesbitt challenges UUP party faithful on cold spots like same sex marriage and Irish #UUP15".Slugger O'Toole. 5 December 2015.
  28. ^"Mike Nesbitt steps down as UUP leader".BBC News.4 March 2017.
  29. ^"Mike Nesbitt: I caused hurt by not supporting law change on gay marriage - but I do now".Belfast Telegraph.
  30. ^"Doug Beattie: Next health minister 'likely' to be Mike Nesbitt".BBC News.23 April 2024.Retrieved27 May2024.
  31. ^"x".X (formerly Twitter).Retrieved28 May2024.
  32. ^McCarthy, James Martin (28 May 2024)."Health Minister to stand down as UUP set to vote against budget".Belfast Live.Retrieved28 May2024.
  33. ^"Health minister role the 'political honour of my life' - Nesbitt".BBC News.28 May 2024.Retrieved29 May2024.
  34. ^Young, David (29 May 2024)."Belfast News Letter".Retrieved29 May2024.
  35. ^"x".X (formerly Twitter).Retrieved29 May2024.
  36. ^"Minister marks first anniversary of Dáithí's Law".Health.31 May 2024.Retrieved19 June2024.
  37. ^https:// health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-speech-assembly-statement-030624.pdf
  38. ^Flores, Clare (5 June 2024)."Cancer Focus NI welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to" Sun Scientist "Session at Kirkinriola Primary School".Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.Retrieved19 June2024.
  39. ^"Health inequalities 'a challenge to us all'".Health.12 June 2024.Retrieved19 June2024.
  40. ^"Health Minister congratulates health staff on Birthday Honours".Health.14 June 2024.Retrieved19 June2024.
  41. ^"Minister welcomes CF drug announcement".Health.25 June 2024.Retrieved1 July2024.
  42. ^"NI first UK region to achieve diagnostic imaging accreditation".Health.26 June 2024.Retrieved1 July2024.
  43. ^"Keeping it in the family - Minister praises GPs' commitment to community".Health.27 June 2024.Retrieved1 July2024.
  44. ^"Statement by Health Minister".Health.1 July 2024.Retrieved1 July2024.
  45. ^Mike Nesbitt's profile on u.tvWebArchive.org: captured 11 July 2002; accessed 5 April 2009
  46. ^"My hopes for 2006"Belfast Telegraph,28 December 2005, accessed 5 April 2009
  47. ^"Nesbitt: My secret family".Belfast Telegraph.
  48. ^"Kennedy still minister after Nesbitt shake up"The Newsletter 4 April 2012

External links[edit]

Northern Ireland Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Northern Ireland AssemblyforStrangford
2011–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
2012–2017 		Succeeded by
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