Vivian Simpson
Encyclopedia
Frederick Vivian Simpson, known as Vivian Simpson (23 August 1903 - 1977) was a politician
in Northern Ireland
.
Born in Dublin, Simpson worked as a draper
and footwear
manufacturer, and also became a lay preacher.
Simpson joined the Northern Ireland Labour Party
(NILP) and stood unsuccessfully for Stormont in Larne both in a 1945 by-election, and in the general election later that year. In 1947, he was elected to Carrickfergus District Council. In the 1953 general election
he switched to contest Carrick, but was again unsuccessful. He was finally elected to Stormont in Belfast Oldpark
in 1958
. He then stood down from his council seat, and retained his Parliamentary seat at each subsequent election.
In March 1969, Simpson became the Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons, holding this post until the proroguation of the Parliament in 1972. After his party colleague Paddy Devlin
defected to the Social Democratic and Labour Party
, he became the sole remaining NILP MP, and the only non-Unionist MP attending Parliament. He became regarded as the party leader; for example, the NILP's manifesto for the Belfast City Council
elections of 1973 carried a foreword written by him.
At the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1973
, Simpson stood in Belfast North
, but fell well short of taking a seat.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Born in Dublin, Simpson worked as a draper
Draper
Draper is the now largely obsolete term for a wholesaler, or especially retailer, of cloth, mainly for clothing, or one who works in a draper's shop. A draper may additionally operate as a cloth merchant or a haberdasher. The drapers were an important trade guild...
and footwear
Footwear
Footwear consists of garments worn on the feet, for fashion, protection against the environment, and adornment. Being barefoot is commonly associated with poverty, but some cultures chose not to wear footwear at least in some situations....
manufacturer, and also became a lay preacher.
Simpson joined the Northern Ireland Labour Party
Northern Ireland Labour Party
The Northern Ireland Labour Party was an Irish political party which operated from 1924 until 1987.In 1913 the British Labour Party resolved to give the recently formed Irish Labour Party exclusive organising rights in Ireland...
(NILP) and stood unsuccessfully for Stormont in Larne both in a 1945 by-election, and in the general election later that year. In 1947, he was elected to Carrickfergus District Council. In the 1953 general election
Northern Ireland general election, 1953
-References:*...
he switched to contest Carrick, but was again unsuccessful. He was finally elected to Stormont in Belfast Oldpark
Belfast Oldpark (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)
Belfast Oldpark was a constituency of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.-Boundaries:Belfast Oldpark was a borough constituency comprising part of northern Belfast...
in 1958
Northern Ireland general election, 1958
-References:*-See also:*MPs elected in the Northern Ireland general election, 1958...
. He then stood down from his council seat, and retained his Parliamentary seat at each subsequent election.
In March 1969, Simpson became the Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons, holding this post until the proroguation of the Parliament in 1972. After his party colleague Paddy Devlin
Paddy Devlin
Paddy Devlin was a Northern Irish social democrat and Labour activist, a former Stormont MP, a founder of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and a member of the 1974 Power Sharing Executive.-Early life:...
defected to the Social Democratic and Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
, he became the sole remaining NILP MP, and the only non-Unionist MP attending Parliament. He became regarded as the party leader; for example, the NILP's manifesto for the Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of , the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area...
elections of 1973 carried a foreword written by him.
At the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1973
Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1973
-Seats summary:-Source:* http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa73.htm...
, Simpson stood in Belfast North
Belfast North (Assembly constituency)
Belfast North is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973...
, but fell well short of taking a seat.