Robin Swann
Robin Swann | |
|---|---|
 Swann in 2020 | |
| Minister of Health | |
| Assumed office 3 February 2024 | |
| First Minister | Michelle O'Neill |
| Preceded by | Himself (2022) |
| In office 11 January 2020 – 27 October 2022 | |
| First Minister | Arlene Foster Paul Givan |
| Preceded by | Michelle O'Neill |
| Succeeded by | Himself (2024) |
| 16th Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party | |
| In office 8 April 2017 – 9 November 2019 | |
| Deputy | Steve Aiken |
| Preceded by | Mike Nesbitt |
| Succeeded by | Steve Aiken |
| Ulster Unionist Chief Whip | |
| In office 6 April 2012 – 8 April 2017 | |
| Leader | Mike Nesbitt |
| Preceded by | John McCallister |
| Succeeded by | Steve Aiken |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Antrim North | |
| Assumed office 5 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Coulter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 September 1971 Kells, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Jennifer Swann |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Kells, County Antrim |
| Alma mater | Open University |
Robin Swann (born 24 September 1971) is a Northern Irish unionist politician who was Minister of Health in the Northern Ireland Executive from 2020 to 2022, and again since 2024. He was also leader of the Ulster Unionist Party from 2017 to 2019.[1] Swann has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for North Antrim since 2011.
Political career
Robin Swann was first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011 in the North Antrim constituency.[2] Swann successfully defended his seat in the 2016 Assembly election, and at the snap election in March 2017, where he was the first unionist elected in North Antrim.[3] Swann was elected Ulster Unionist leader in April 2017; he resigned in November 2019 in order to spend more time with his family.[2]
Swann came second in the North Antrim constituency in the 2019 Westminster election, with double the UUP vote of the previous election.[2]
In the 2022 Assembly election Swann went on to top the North Antrim poll.[4] His increased vote was attributed to his work as health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic. Swann credited his success to the work of those in the health service.[5]
On 1 February 2024, Swann was announced as the UUP's parliamentary candidate for South Antrim at the next United Kingdom general election, a target seat for the UUP.[6]
Minister of Health
First term (2020–2022)
In 2020, he was appointed Minister of Health and presided over the response of the Northern Ireland Executive to the COVID-19 Pandemic.[7]
On 2 February 2022 a 44-year-old man was charged with threatening to kill Swann, harassment and improper use of a telecommunications network.[8]
Swann ceased to be Minister for Health on 27 October 2022 following the collapse of power-sharingat the Northern Ireland Executive.
The High Court dismissed a £100m lawsuit against NI politicians over Covid-19 regulations in December 2022. [9]
Swann has been called as a participant in the UK Covid Inquiry [10] at the hearing to Module 1 he said "Failed reforms hindered NI Covid response."[11]
In August 2023, Swann welcomed progress that had been made on clamping down on some of the most expensive nursing agency costs in the local health service in Northern Ireland.[12]
Second term (2024–present)
On 3 February 2024, Swann was reappointed Minister for Health following the formation of the Executive of the 7th Northern Ireland Assembly.
Swann's appointment revealed a split in the UUP as Andy Allen MLA criticised his return as Swann was already confirmed as a Westminster candidate. Allen argued that "we need a health minister with their full focus on the task at hand, not one eye on WM (Westminster).”[13]
Following his appointment, Swann wrote to trade unions inviting them to early discussions. On 5 February 2024, he visited the Ulster Hospital and reiterated his intention to secure pay settlements for staff and resolve current industrial action.[14]
Personal life
Robin Swann is "5ft 3in-ish" tall.[15] He and his wife Jennifer have a daughter and a son. Their son was born with a congenital heart defect, and while in Birmingham, Swann recorded the events in a personal blog.[16]
Voluntary and community work
Swann has served as president and County Antrim Chairman of the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster. He has chaired the YFCU's National Executive and Rural Affairs Committees and has been Chairman of the Rural Youth Europe organisation.[17]
A former member of Cromkill Pipe Band, Swann was elected a Honorary Vice President of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland.[18]
In 2023 Swann was elected Honorary President of the Farmers' Choir Northern Ireland. [19]
Electoral history
| Election | Constituency | Votes | % | Elected | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly 2007 | North Antrim | 1,281 | 2.89% | Not elected | 1st run |
| Assembly 2011 | North Antrim | 2,518 | 6.26% | Elected | 5th of 6 |
| Assembly 2016 | North Antrim | 3,585 | 8.74% | Elected | 5th of 6 |
| Assembly 2017 | North Antrim | 6,022 | 12.52% | Elected | 2nd of 5, 1st unionist elected |
| Westminster 2019 | North Antrim | 8,139 | 18.5% | Not elected | runner up, increased vote by 11.3% |
| Assembly 2022 | North Antrim | 9,530 | 18.83% | Elected | 1st of 5, topped poll |
| Westminster 2024 | South Antrim | Switched constituencies from North Antrim to South Antrim |
Awards
Swann was Awarded Politician of the Year 2022, by Civility in Politics, an award he shared with Chris Bryant MP.[20]
July 2023 Swann was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, fellowships are awarded annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to psychiatry. "Robin Swann was awarded for championing mental healthcare and working closely with psychiatrists in Northern Ireland to address the enormous treatment gap that still exists."[21]
References
- ^ "Ulster Unionist Party confirm Robin Swann as new leader" BBC News, 8 April 2017, accessed 11 April 2017
- ^ a b c "Introducing the new Northern Ireland Executive". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 3 February 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "North Antrim". www.ark.ac.uk.
- ^ "Election 2022: Swann tops the poll in North Antrim".
- ^ McCambridge, Jonathan (6 May 2022). "Robin Swann credits North Antrim Assembly Election poll-topping success to work of the health service". The Irish News. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ "Robin Swann to switch constituencies in bid to unseat DUP MP". BreakingNews.ie. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ^ "New Health Minister appointed in Northern Ireland" (Press release).
- ^ Young, David (2 February 2022). "Man charged with threatening to kill Northern Ireland health minister". Irish Examiner. PA. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "2022 NI Master 8". 6 December 2022. Belfast Telegraph.
- ^ "UK Covid-19 Inquiry".
- ^ "Covid inquiry: Failed reforms hindered NI Covid response, says Swann". 6 July 2023.
- ^ "Swann Welcomes Progress on Tackling Health Agency Costs". UUP Live. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "Robin Swann: Stormont needs a health minister focused on task, not with one eye on Westminster says UUP colleague Andy Allen". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 4 February 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ^ "Health Minister prioritises pay talks". Health. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ^ "Robin Swann becomes new UUP leader". BBC News. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "The Journey Begins: The phone call". 22 September 2013.
- ^ "European chairman Delme Harries". Farmers Guardian. 30 September 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Officials".
- ^ "Farmers' Choir".
- ^ "Congratulations to Our 2022 Awards Winners".
- ^ "NI politician Robin Swann receives Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Psychiatrists".