David Ervine

David Ervine
Leader of the
Progressive Unionist Party
In office
13 April 2002 – 8 January 2007
DeputyDavid Rose
Andy Park
Preceded byHugh Smyth
Succeeded byDawn Purvis
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Belfast East
In office
25 June 1998 – 8 January 2007
Preceded byNew Creation
Succeeded byDawn Purvis
Member of Belfast City Council
In office
21 May 1997 – 8 January 2007
Preceded byJim Walker
Succeeded byJohn Kyle
ConstituencyPottinger
Member of the Northern Ireland Forum
In office
30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998
Preceded byForum created
Succeeded byForum dissolved
ConstituencyTop-up list
Personal details
Born(1953-07-21)21 July 1953
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died8 January 2007(2007-01-08) (aged 53)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
PartyProgressive Unionist Party
Spouse
Jeanette Cunningham
(m. 1971)
RelationsBrian Ervine (Brother)
ChildrenMark Owen
WebsitePUP
Military service
ParamilitaryUlster Volunteer Force (c. 1972–1980)
ConflictThe Troubles
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David Ervine (21 July 1953 – 8 January 2007) was a Northern Irish Ulster Loyalist and politician who served as leader of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) from 2002 to 2007 and was also a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Belfast East from 1998 to 2007. During his youth Ervine was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and was imprisoned for possessing bomb-making equipment, and planting a bomb on the Lisburn Road. Whilst in jail he became convinced of the benefits of a more political approach for loyalism and became involved with the PUP. As a leading PUP figure, Ervine helped to deliver the loyalist ceasefire of 1994.