Paula Bradley

Paula Bradley (born 23 June 1969) is a Unionist politician from Northern Ireland, who served as Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from May 2021 to June 2023. She was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Belfast North from 2011 to 2022.[1] She also served as Deputy Mayor of Newtownabbey Borough Council in 2009–10. She was elected Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party on 14 May 2021, and became the first woman to hold the office on 28 May 2021.

Paula Bradley
Bradley in 2021
Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
In office
28 May 2021 – 9 June 2023
LeaderEdwin Poots
Jeffrey Donaldson
Preceded byNigel Dodds
Succeeded byGavin Robinson
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Belfast North
In office
5 May 2011 – 28 March 2022
Preceded byFred Cobain
Succeeded byPhillip Brett
Personal details
Born (1969-06-23) 23 June 1969
Carnmoney, Northern Ireland
NationalityBritish
Political partyDemocratic Unionist Party
SpouseRobert Bradley (div. 1996)
Children2
ProfessionPolice officer, social worker

Bradley was first elected to Newtownabbey Council in the 2005 local election, representing the Antrim Line electoral area.[2] She served as deputy mayor in 2009–2010 and was elected mayor in June 2010.[3] Outside politics, she has worked as a social worker at Antrim Area Hospital.[4]

In July 2021 Bradley said that some of the things said about the LGBT community by her party colleagues had been “absolutely atrocious” and that she was sorry: “I can certainly say I apologise for what others have said and done in the past, because I do think there have been some very hurtful comments and some language that really should not have been used.”[5]

Bradley announced on 17 March 2022 that she would not seek re-election at the 2022 Assembly election, reversing a decision she had previously made. She told BBC News NI that she wanted to look after her mother, Charlotte, who has a number of health issues. "My mum needs me more and I have decided to prioritise her over my political career," she said. "She sacrificed so much for me and I feel I need to be there for her."[6]

References
  1. "Election results 2011: Northern Ireland assembly results in full". The Guardian. 7 May 2011.
  2. "Newtownabbey local election results". ark.ac.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  3. "Bradley is 'very honoured' to be new Mayor". newtownabbeytoday.co.uk. Newtownabbey Times. 9 June 2010.
  4. "War widow's pledge for Army wives". Belfast Telegraph. 8 May 2011.
  5. "Donaldson apologises for DUP members' past LGBT remarks". The Irish Times.
  6. Simpson, Mark (17 March 2022). "Paula Bradley: DUP deputy leader not seeking re-election". BBC News. Retrieved 18 March 2022.


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