William Joseph Humphrey (born 17 October 1967) is a Unionist politician from

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Humphrey was a

Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs; ga, Comhaltaí den Tionól Reachtach; sco-ulster, Laa-Makkan Forgaitherars) are representatives elected by the voters to the Northern Ireland Assembly. About The Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 ...

(MLA) for North Belfast from 2010 to 2022, replacing

Nigel Dodds Nigel Alexander Dodds, Baron Dodds of Duncairn, (born 20 August 1958), is a British unionist politician who has been the Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in the House of Lords since 2021, and was the deputy leader of the DUP ...

. Born in the Woodvale area of Belfast, Humphrey studied at the Boys' Model School. A member of the Woodvale Residents' Association, he joined the Democratic Unionist Party, becoming its chairman in North

Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom ...

, and a member of the party's executive.Humphrey chosen to replace Dodds
, '' Belfast Telegraph'', 14 September 2010 He was elected to

Belfast City Council Belfast City Council ( ga, Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste) is the local authority with responsibility for part of the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of (), the ...

in the Court district at the

2005 Northern Ireland local elections Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland on 5 May 2005, contesting 582 seats in all, along with the 2005 general election across the entire United Kingdom and local elections in England. Results Councils Antrim Ar ...

,Belfast City Council Elections 1993-2005
Northern Ireland Elections then served as

High Sheriff of Belfast The High Sheriff of Belfast is a title and position which was created in 1900 under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, with Sir James Henderson the first holder. Like other high sheriff positions, it is largely a ceremonial post today. The ...

in 2006.New High Sheriff of Belfast to be sworn in

At the

2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election The 2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election was held on Wednesday, 7 March 2007. It was the third election to take place since the devolved assembly was established in 1998. The election saw endorsement of the St Andrews Agreement and the two ...

, Humphrey stood in North Belfast, but was not elected. He moved to contest West Belfast at the UK general election, 2010, but took only 7.6% of the votes cast. In June, he became Deputy

Lord Mayor of Belfast The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairperson of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 60 Councillors#UnitedKingdom, councillors. The Lord Mayor also serves as the representative of the city of Belfast, welcomin ...

, In September 2010, he was selected to replace

in the Northern Ireland Assembly, representing North Belfast and was elected at the 2011 Assembly election. Referencing his predecessor, Humphrey said, "Nigel has a proven track record of dedicated hard work on the ground, making a difference in peoples' lives within the Constituency...That will be the record I will strive to emulate." Humphrey was appointed

Member of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(MBE) in the 2021 New Year Honours for public service, particularly during the COVID-19 response. In 2022, Humphrey announced that he would not contest the 2022 Assembly election.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Humphrey, William 1967 births Living people Politicians from Belfast Democratic Unionist Party MLAs Members of Belfast City Council Northern Ireland MLAs 2007–2011 Northern Ireland MLAs 2011–2016 Northern Ireland MLAs 2016–2017 Northern Ireland MLAs 2017–2022 High Sheriffs of Belfast Members of the Order of the British Empire