Christopher David Matthew Stalford[2] (17 January 1983 – 19 February 2022) was a Northern Irish politician who was a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for South Belfast from the 2016 election until his death in 2022.
Christopher Stalford | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Principal Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
| In office 14 January 2020 – 19 February 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Catríona Ruane |
| Succeeded by | Carál Ní Chuilín (2024) |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast South | |
| In office 5 May 2016 – 19 February 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Michael McGimpsey |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Poots |
| Member of Belfast City Council | |
| In office 22 May 2014 – 5 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Ruth Patterson |
| Succeeded by | Lee Reynolds |
| Constituency | Balmoral |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 22 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Clarke |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Laganbank |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1983 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 19 February 2022 (aged 39) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Laura Stalford[1] |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Wellington College Belfast |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
| Website | www |
Biography
editStalford was born in the Annadale Flats in south Belfast, on 17 January 1983.[3] He studied nearby at Wellington College Belfast and Queen's University Belfast.[4] After graduation he worked in the European office of Jim Allister three days a week, and the office of Peter Weir two days a week. He then moved to the DUP press office for six years and then onto the policy unit.[5]
At the 2005 local elections, he was elected to Belfast City Council, representing the Laganbank area[6]
At the 2014 local elections, Laganbank was abolished and he was re-elected for the Balmoral area.[7]
Stalford served as High Sheriff of Belfast in 2010. Aged only 27, the Belfast Telegraph described him as the youngest ever High Sheriff of the city.[3] He was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor for the 2013–14 term.[8]
In 2008 he was selected as the chairman of the Belfast District Policing Partnership.[9]
At the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election, he was one of two DUP candidates elected in South Belfast.[10]
Death
editStalford died suddenly on 19 February 2022, at the age of 39.[11][12] While Stalford was described as "unionist to the core", his funeral was attended by a range of political parties including Sinn Féin colleagues John O'Dowd and Deirdre Hargey, SDLP MP Claire Hanna and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long.[13][14]
When Edwin Poots was elected to Stalford's former constituency of Belfast South at the 2022 Assembly election, he paid tribute to Stalford and pledged to "build a legacy for Christopher".[15]
References
edit- ^ "Christopher Stalford's wife Laura issues message of thanks following passing of 'best dad in the world'". Belfasttelegraph – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Stalford, Christopher David Matthew". WHO WAS WHO 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Youngest High Sheriff is sworn in at Belfast City Hall". Belfast Telegraph. 19 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Christopher Stalford MLA". DUP – Our Team. Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ McNeilly, Claire (14 August 2017). "Christopher Stalford: 'I don't see myself as a future DUP leader. I'm an Arlene 'ultra'". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast. ISSN 0307-5664. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Belfast City Council Elections 1993–2011 – Lagan Bank Archived 26 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Ark – Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ Ferguson, Amanda (26 April 2016). "Fly-tipping fine notices appear at loyalist bonfire in Belfast". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor Christopher Stalford told of threat". BBC News. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ McWilliams, Gráinne (8 October 2008). "Stalford gets Belfast DPP chairman post". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ Bell, Jonny (8 May 2016). "Ruth Patterson to quit politics after disappointing South Belfast Assembly election result". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016.
- ^ Kearney, Vincent (20 February 2022). "Tributes paid after death of DUP's Christopher Stalford". RTÉ News. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ Quinn, Ben (20 February 2022). "Tributes paid to DUP politician Christopher Stalford, who has died at 39". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ Simpson, Mark (26 February 2022). "Christopher Stalford: DUP MLA was 'humble, loving and kind'". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ Clinton, Jane (26 February 2022). "Funeral of DUP's Christopher Stalford attended by all main parties". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "We did this for Chris: Poots vows to build Stalford legacy following election win". ITV. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
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