David Allen (politician)
David Allen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 October 1937 |
| Died | 13 December 2011 |
| Nationality | Northern Ireland. |
| Occupation | Teacher
Trade Unionist Politician |
David Allen MBE[1] (24 October 1937 – 13 December 2011)[2] was a teacher, trade unionist and politician from Northern Ireland.
A member of the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party, he represented the group in the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention.[3] He was elected to Ballymena Borough Council in 1973, topping the poll in the C District Electoral Area. He retained the seat in 1977, albeit as a "Ratepayers" candidate, having left the Vanguard in the interim.[4]
In November 1976 Allen proposed a motion banning Ballymena's local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) from using council facilities; the motion passed unanimously. Allen described the GAA as "bigoted, sectarian" with an "antiquated" ruleset.[5] In a television interview about the motion, Allen suggested he would be justified in calling for the GAA to be outlawed and made illegal in Northern Ireland.[6]
Allen was a pupil of Ballymena Academy.[7] A teacher by profession, he trained at Queen's University Belfast and Stranmillis College before teaching at primary level in his native Ballymena, initially at Harryville PS before moving to Ballykeel PS.[1] Known to his pupils as "Duck", he was deputy headmaster at the latter school.[7] Allen was active in the Ulster Teachers' Union and became general secretary of the body in 1978, holding the position for twenty years.[1] A prominent media figure during his time in charge, Allen's work earned him the nickname "children's champion".[1]
Allen was married twice and had one daughter.[1] Following his retirement he settled in Banbridge, while also keeping a house in Cornwall.[1] He suffered a stroke in 2011 and died soon after, aged 74. He was buried in Banbridge following a service at the town's Bannside Presbyterian Church.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g Belfast Telegraph obituary
- ^ UTU News, Spring 2016 ,p. 16
- ^ W. D. Flackes & Sydney Elliott, Northern Ireland A Political Directory 1968-1993, Blackstaff Press, 1994, p. 147
- ^ The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Ballymena
- ^ Belfast Telegraph 8 November 1976.
- ^ "Inside Ulster". BBC Rewind.
- ^ a b Mr. David Allen - formerly of Ballykeel Primary
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1937 births
- 2011 deaths
- Members of the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
- Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party politicians
- General secretaries of British trade unions
- Presbyterians from Northern Ireland
- People from Ballymena
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Alumni of Queen's University Belfast
- Alumni of Stranmillis University College
- People educated at Ballymena Academy
- Schoolteachers from Northern Ireland