Lindsay Mason
Lindsay Mason | |
---|---|
Member of Larne Borough Council | |
In office 19 May 1993 – 25 August 2006 | |
Preceded by | Pat Buckley |
Succeeded by | Michael Lynch |
Constituency | Larne Town |
Leader of the Ulster Constitution Party | |
In office 1971–1974 | |
Preceded by | Party created |
Succeeded by | Party dissolved |
Member of Belfast City Council | |
In office 1972 – 30 May 1973 | |
Succeeded by | District abolished |
Constituency | Lower Falls |
Personal details | |
Born | Larne, Northern Ireland |
Political party | Independent Unionist (from 1977) Ulster Constitution Party (1971 - 1974) |
Other political affiliations | National Front (1974 - 1977) |
Robert Lindsay Mason (April 1942 – 25 August 2006), known as Lindsay Mason, was a Northern Irish unionist politician and businessman. Known as something of an eccentric, Mason's entire career in politics was spent outside the major unionist parties such as the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party.
Early life
Born in Larne, Mason was the son of a local paper mill manager.[1] He studied at the Royal School Dungannon and Vernon College before becoming an antiques dealer.[2]
Mason became involved in
Belfast City Council
In 1972, he was elected to
Due to his eccentricities and the fact that he wasn't tied to any major party, Mason received wide coverage in the local press whilst a member of the council.[7] He held regular loyalist protest meetings inside Belfast City Hall and at one of these a group of female supporters attacked Social Democratic and Labour Party member Paddy Wilson, attempting to tear off his clothing following an ambush from which Wilson was forced to flee.[8] While a sitting councillor, his firearm licence was withdrawn by the police, and he instead purchased a bow and arrow, with which he patrolled his local streets.[9]
Off the council
Following a review of local government in Northern Ireland, Belfast's council wards were redrawn in 1973, and Mason lost his seat in
In 1974, Mason joined the
Larne
Mason returned to Northern Ireland in the mid-1980s, suffering a major heart attack on the journey over, but he established a new antiques shop in
He was less successful in national elections, failing to win a seat in
Death
Mason died as a result of heart failure. In the months leading up to his death he was in steadily decreasing health. He had asthma and breathing problems. Fellow councillor and friend Danny O'Connor had mentioned family bereavements including his mother and aunt had taken a toll on Mason's health. He was buried in Clandeboye cemetery in Bangor.[1]
Personal life
Outside politics, Mason was known for having
References
- ^ a b "Colourful councillor dies at 64", News Letter, 29 August 2006
- ^ a b c d e f "He did it his way", Larne Times, 31 August 2006
- ^ a b Ciarán Ó Maoláin, The Radical Right: A World History, p. 334
- David Kerr, "The history of the National Front in Ulster", Civil Liberty
- ^ O'Doherty (2007), p. 93.
- ^ O'Doherty (2007), p. 94.
- ^ O'Doherty (2007), p. 104.
- ^ O'Doherty (2007), p. 214.
- ^ a b c "Flamboyant political maverick dies aged 64", Belfast Telegraph, 28 August 2006
- ^ "The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Belfast", Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ "East Belfast 1973–82", Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ "The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Ards", Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ a b c "Robert Lindsay Mason won't easily be forgotten" David Gordon Belfast Telegraph 29 August 2005 Retrieved 6 June 2014
- ^ "Larne Borough Council Elections 1993–2011", Northern Ireland Elections
- The News Letter. Retrieved 19 May 2014.[dead link]
- ^ "1997 Archives" Newtownabbey Times 27 December 2007 Retrieved 6 June 2014
- The News Letter. Archived from the originalon 29 June 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ Gordon, David (26 September 2001). "Beggs to Face Fresh Probe in Commons". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ Gordon, David (31 October 2001). "Unionist MP repays expenses after row; Beggs rapped by watchdog". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ "East Antrim", Northern Ireland Elections
- The News Letter. 12 June 1998. Archived from the originalon 29 June 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
Sources
- ISBN 9780717141906.