Danny Kinahan

Danny Kinahan
Member of Parliament for South Antrim
In office 8 May 2015 – 3 May 2017
Preceded by	William McCrea
Succeeded by	Paul Girvan
Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Antrim
In office 1 June 2009 – 24 June 2015
Preceded by	David Burnside
Succeeded by	Adrian Cochrane-Watson
Personal details
Born	Daniel de Burgh Kinahan (1958-04-14) 14 April 1958 Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Political party	Ulster Unionist Party
Spouse(s)	Anna
Children	4
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Captain
Unit	Blues and Royals

Daniel de Burgh Kinahan (born 14 April 1958) is a British politician from the Ulster Unionist Party, a former Member of Parliament for South Antrim and former member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Antrim. In 2005 he was elected to Antrim Borough Council, and in June 2009 he was appointed to the South Antrim seat in the Assembly vacated by the resignation of David Burnside.^[1]

Personal

He is the son of the late Sir Robin Kinahan and Coralie de Burgh and was educated at Craigflower Preparatory School (Torryburn^[2]), Stowe School and Edinburgh University. He is a cousin of singer Chris de Burgh.^[3] Professionally Kinahan is an antiques expert and worked as Christie's auctioneers Irish representative.^[4] He lives with his wife and four children at Castle Upton, Templepatrick. In 2016 he announced he was selling the family home to downsize following the moving out of his children.

Northern Ireland Assembly

On 28 May 2009, the UUP South Antrim branch selected Danny to replace the outgoing MLA David Burnside who resigned to pursue business interests. Mr Burnside officially stood down on 1 June. Danny was sworn in on 9 June.

Danny faced his first NI Assembly election in May 2011 and was returned to Parliament Buildings with 3,445 first preference votes. During his second period in Stormont, he was heavily involved in education legislation as the UUP’s spokesperson on the policy area.

As Deputy Chair of the Education Committee, Danny became a leading figure during the passage of the Education Bill. As Deputy Chair of the Education Committee, Danny became a leading figure during the passage of the Education Bill. Danny was vehemently opposed to the Sinn Fein policy of politicising Grammar Schools which are among the top performing schools in the United Kingdom. Sinn Fein’s campaign to scrap Grammar Schools was thwarted by Danny and his UUP colleagues who diligently argued the case for academic capability streaming. He is also strongly in favour of shared and integrated education, greater emphasis on STEM subjects, a wider selection of apprenticeships, stronger provision of careers advice and more thorough and engaging university degrees.He is strongly in favour of shared and integrated education, greater emphasis on STEM subjects, a wider selection of apprenticeships, stronger provision of careers advice and more thorough and engaging university degrees.

He stepped down after his election to Westminster and was replaced by Adrian Cochrane-Watson.^[5]

Westminster

The UUP decided to run Danny in the 2015 General Election due to his broad appeal which transcends the normal tribal politics in Northern Ireland. His popularity among unionists and nationalists alike saw him oust the incumbent DUP MP Rev. William McCrea with a majority of 949. Danny’s main priorities during his time in Westminster included: Strengthening the Union: Making Westminster and the devolved regions work better together; Standing up for the Armed Forces and Security Services; and to increase and develop every link possible with business and trade to ensure that Northern Ireland is regarded as a top place for investment.

Danny was one of the most active MPs during his two years in the Commons as he participated in hundreds of debates, Committee and APPG meetings. He debated approximately 160 times in the Commons Chamber and voted 310 times on matters including:

◗ His opposition to the cutting of Child Tax Credits which resulted in the former Chancellor George Osborne having to perform a U-turn on the majority of his plans.

◗ His support for legislation creating a broadband universal service obligation (USO) which gives every UK household the legal right to request a connection above a speed of a 10Mbps.

◗ Along with Unionist and SDLP colleagues, he repeatedly voted for the Government to introduce fair transitional arrangements for women affected by changes to the state pension age.

Danny and his UUP colleague Tom Elliott were very outspoken on the 2017 Spring Budget as it contained a rise of National Insurance Contributions for the 2.5 million self-employed in the UK. They stated that economies of constituencies like theirs are built on the bedrock of strong entrepreneurial self-employed businessmen and women. As such, they and a coalition of MPs opposed to such measures came together to exert pressure on Chancellor Philip Hammond which led to a complete policy reversal and protected the UK’s self-employed from unnecessary burden. Danny also voted, debated and lobbied on matters including:

◗ Highlighting the major problems that a hard Brexit and the return of border checkpoints would bring to Northern Ireland.

◗ Involvement in proposed legislation for financial compensation for those affected by terrorism.

◗ Lobbying the UK Government who have guaranteed current levels of agricultural funding will be upheld until 2020.

◗ Lobbying the UK Government to release funds for the introduction of the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance, which is now a reality.

Danny began former Prime Minister David Cameron's final PMQs on 13 July 2016. He made the headlines across the national media by famously asking the PM if following his retirement he would consider filling the vacant roles of Top Gear's lead presenter, the England Football Manager or even the U.S. Presidency!

1. Cameron's final PMQs

South Antrim

Born and raised in South Antrim, Danny was the exemplification of a constituency MP. Danny was involved in all aspects of South Antrim life and came to the support of constituents regarding several pertinent issues. Danny opposed the application to use Parkgate Quarry for recycling building materials due to health issues and road safety. He also opposed the use of the Hightown Quarry for a vastly expensive energy from waste plant especially as there is a viable alternative on the Belfast Loughshore.

He worked with all interested parties for an agreeable solution to the Belmont Road development in Antrim. He ensured schools like Crumlin Integrated College and Parkhall Integrated thrived, received new builds and had flourishing sixth forms. Danny worked with schools, community groups and bodies throughout the constituency from Carnmoney to Toome and Ballynure to Stoneyford.

Throughout his two years in Westminster Danny built up every link possible with businesses within Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and Ireland to create a network of support. Danny organised an Ulster Unionist Party celebration and networking event of some 180 top businesses at Westminster in 2016 and now has a database of some 500 businesses to work with. Danny regularly hosted Northern Ireland companies in London and facilitated crucial meetings with the UK Government for them. Danny used his position on the green benches to champion local businesses and showcase the very best of all that Northern Ireland has to offer.

Strengthening the Union

Danny has consistently espoused a confident, outward looking pro-union message in his politics. During his first months in Westminster he established the All Party Parliamentary Group to identify and discuss the key problems threatening the Union and how they should be tackled. The APPG had briefings from leading academics, UK politicians, the Constitutional Reform Group, Scotland in Union and Fine Gael. In response to a PMQ of Danny’s on 29 April, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "As our manifesto made clear, we have a preference for Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, and we will never be neutral in expressing our support for that, because I believe in the strength of the Union."

Working Together

Much of Danny’s Parliamentary career was dedicated to improving the working relationships between Westminster, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin. As well as strengthening diplomatic relations and enhancing working mechanisms, Danny worked on almost every aspect of governance including pensions, universities, cancer research, mental health awareness, mesothelioma, neonicotinoids and warm homes schemes. Danny as a One Nation unionist is a firm believer is that joined up strategies and economies of scale benefit everyone. Danny also regularly attended the British Irish Parliamentary Association to discuss these very matters and improve relations between everyone on the British Isles. This became especially pertinent following the EU referendum.

NI Affairs Committee

Danny was a prominent member of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee during the 2015-17 Parliament. During this period, the Select Committee held inquiries on: Electricity sector in NI; Future of the land border with the Republic of Ireland; HM Government support for the victims of IRA attacks that used Gaddafi-supplied Semtex and weapons; NI and the EU Referendum; and Promoting the tourism industry in NI through the tax system. Danny is an ardent campaigner on behalf of victims of the Troubles and through his membership of a victims’ group he brought forward the issue of the need to secure compensation from the Libyan Government.

A Vision for Northern Ireland outside the European Union

Danny and his UUP colleagues developed the policy document 'A Vision for Northern Ireland outside the European Union' as the Northern Ireland Executive failed to adopt a clear position on the province’s needs. The document was a result of a wide-ranging consultation with private, public and third sectors. It was also the only policy paper from a political party in NI despite the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments producing clear directions. This unique document was presented and distributed amongst the PM, Cabinet Ministers, Opposition Parties and the UK press so they could better understand the distinct issues faced by Northern Ireland as a result of the decision to leave the EU.

Military and Legacy Matters

Danny assisted and developed a number of campaigns including: The full implementation of the Military Covenant in Northern Ireland; Justice for the victims of the Hyde Park bomb; fair treatment for the Security Services that served during Operation Banner; and Securing compensation for the victims of Libyan-supplied Semtex. Danny and his UUP colleagues worked tirelessly on Select Committees and All-Party Parliamentary Groups, holding Westminster Hall debates, providing a voice for these campaigns in the Commons and regularly meeting with Government Ministers and Officials. This work was also complimented by wide-spread media coverage across local, regional and national news outlets.

The Hyde Park bomb victims’ campaign was a nation-wide campaign to secure crowdfunding so that the victims’ families could bring the primary suspect to trial. The campaign was supported by The Sun and received coverage and support from a large number of cross-party politicians, military representatives, Armed Forces charities and legal commentators. Danny launched the campaign in Westminster in Spring 2017 and by the end of the summer the group had secured the required level of funding.

Prior to the dissolution of the 2015-17 Parliament, Danny secured cross-party support for his concept of a Victims’ Covenant. Just as the Military Covenant provides effective and focused support for our Armed Forces personnel and veterans, a Victims’ Covenant would provide tailored counselling, medical treatment and life skill support.

All-Party Parliamentary Groups

Danny was Chair of the Education APPG and oversaw the groups’ report on career education provision within educational institutions. The paper explored how we best prepare our students for life after education. The report was published in Spring 2017 following a series of roundtable events and consultation exercises attended by leading academics, education providers, Department of Education representatives and leading politicians. The document was well-received and considered by the Secretary of State for Education.

As a UK Armed Forces veteran, Danny was a prominent member of several military APPGs. Through his membership of these groups, Danny was able to articulate the needs and concerns of both current and former servicemen and women living in Northern Ireland. Danny organised several visits to Northern Ireland for the Veterans Minister Mark Lancaster, Chair of the APPG on the Military Covenant Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Oliver Colville MP and other MPs who share a strong interest in Northern Ireland.

Danny was involved in APPGs focused on broadband coverage, cancer, rare diseases, museums, universities, bees and pollinators, aerospace industry, technology and modernising the electoral system are just a few of some of the 30 or so he attended. Danny was also appointed as a Champion for the British Museum in Northern Ireland.

General Election 2017

Following a strong resurgence of the DUP and Sinn Fein in the 2017 General Election, Danny lost his seat to Paul Girvan by 3,208 votes.

References