Ian Parsley
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Ian James Parsley (born 3 May 1977) is a businessman and former, part-time politician from Northern Ireland. He was the Alliance Party candidate at the 2009 European elections,[1] and served as Deputy Mayor of North Down.
He attracted considerable criticism and caused much controversy by endorsing the Conservatives and Unionists[2] and standing as a parliamentary candidate for North Down in the 2010 General Election, but later that same year he left the Conservative Party having completed a year-long project with the Centre for Social Justice and subsequently rejoined the Alliance Party. He is an outspoken opponent of Brexit.
Background[]
Although of Northern Irish heritage on his mother's side, Parsley was born in Yorkshire and educated at Merchant Taylors' School and Newcastle University, graduating in Modern Languages.[citation needed]
Parsley currently works in public relations, as a media commentator on languages, welfare reform and football, and is a Director of Northern Ireland Screen.[3] He was also Chair of the European Movement in Northern Ireland.
Other activities[]
Parsley is a writer in and about Ulster Scots[4] and, despite having run against her at the 2010 General Election, he has campaigned alongside Lady Hermon on support for people with dementia and their carers.[5]
Personal life[]
Parsley has been married to South Belfast Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw since 2011. He is an avid Arsenal FC fan and a keen language hobbyist, a subject about which he often writes.[6]
References[]
- ^ Devenport, Mark (12 May 2009). "Profile: Ian Parsley". BBC News. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- ^ "Parsley leaves the Alliance Party". BBC News. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- ^ "Board Members". Northern Ireland Screen. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- ^ "Ian James Parsley's Ulster-Scots website". BBC NI. 20 March 2002. Retrieved 29 March 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Parsley quits politics". News Letter. JPI Media. 29 March 2011.
- ^ "Ancient Romans couldn't read… and what that means for language". 30 January 2015.
Further reading[]
- "Alliance star jumps ship to join the Tories". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 12 September 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- "Hermon no garnish for Ian Parsley". The Irish Times. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2012. (subscription required)
- "Tories threaten to go it alone in assembly poll". News Letter. JPI Media. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2012.[dead link]
- "Ian Parsley leaves the Tories". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- 1977 births
- Living people
- Alliance Party of Northern Ireland politicians
- Alumni of Newcastle University
- Conservative Party (UK) politicians
- People educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
- Businesspeople from Northern Ireland
- Male non-fiction writers from Northern Ireland
- 21st-century writers from Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland politician stubs