Preceded by Sir Reg Empey Preceded by Ian Adamson Nationality British Spouse Sonia Copeland Battles and wars The Troubles Service/branch British Army | Succeeded by Andy Allen Succeeded by Wallace Browne Political party Ulster Unionist Party Party Ulster Unionist Party Rank Lieutenant | |
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Born 23 June 1954 (age 62)
Belfast, Northern Ireland ( 1954-06-23 ) Education Royal Military Academy Sandhurst | ||
Michael Copeland (born 23 June 1954) is a former unionist MLA from Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Ulster Unionist Party.
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Copeland was born in Belfast and was educated at Lisnasharragh Primary School, Lisnasharragh Secondary School, Castlereagh College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst becoming a lieutenant of the Ulster Defence Regiment, HM Armed Forces.
Political career
Copeland was first elected to Castlereagh Borough Council in 2001 and in May 2002 was elected Deputy Mayor of Castlereagh.
In 2002, he was elected chairman of Castlereagh District Policing Partnership. He later resigned in protest at the treatment of the RUC full-time Reserve. He also served as Director of Castlereagh Local Strategy Partnership.
After defeating incumbent MLA Ian Adamson for the East Belfast UUP nomination for the 2003 Assembly Election he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He was re-selected to stand for the constituency in the elections in 2007 but lost his seat. Copeland remains an extremely active figure in local governmental politics within Northern Ireland: maintaining a keen interest in domestic, socioeconomic and housing problems. He was re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly as MLA for East Belfast in the Assembly Elections in May 2011.
A member of the Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution, Copeland has served as the party's Parades spokesman.
He stepped down from the Assembly due to health reasons was replaced by Andy Allen.
Views
Copeland has spoken in favour of same-sex marriage, saying he "backed the change."
Personal
His ex-wife Sonia was elected to Belfast City Council in the Northern Ireland local elections, 2014. She represents the Titanic ward. They have two children and he is a member of the Church of Ireland.