Political Platform Phillip Brett MLA

The DUP’s Phillip Brett was elected for North Belfast in May 2022, having previously served as a councillor and party group leader for the Glengormley area of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a decade.

Outline your background/career to date?

I first became involved with the DUP during my time at Queen’s University Belfast. As someone who believes that Northern Ireland and all of its people are best served within the United Kingdom, I was keen to play my part in keeping Northern Ireland moving forward.

At the age of 22 I was given the amazing opportunity to enter local government and served my hometown of Glengormley on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for 10 years, leading the DUP group on the Council.

Outside of elected politics, I worked for the Democratic Unionist Party in both Belfast and London and served as a non-executive director of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Public Health Agency.

What inspired you to get into politics?

I am so proud to come from north Belfast and I wanted to give something back to the community that had supported me and given me so many opportunities growing up.

I am a firm believer that young people have a vital role to play in political life and it was that sense of duty and desire to serve all the people of north Belfast to the best of ability that inspired me to get involved in politics.

What inspired you to get into politics?

I do not come from a political family, but my late father Michael Brett, dedicated his entire life to serving the people of north Belfast. As a paramedic for over 30 years and based in Ardoyne, he worked in north Belfast during some of its darkest days, serving all sections of our community without fear or favour.

Following the murder of my older brother, my dad dedicated himself to campaigning against sectarianism and violence, his legacy continues to inspire me to ensure north Belfast continues to work forward.

What drew you to the DUP?

I truly believe that the interests of all of our people are best served as part of a strong and prosperous United Kingdom. I was drawn to the DUP under the leadership of Peter Robinson and his vision for unionism, which sought to reach far beyond the traditional divide.

I am passionate about ensuring unionism and the DUP can attract support from all sections of society and believe I can play an important role in achieving that.

As a passionate campaigner for tackling educational underachievement and supporting working-class communities, the DUP’s dedication to this vital cause was a major attraction for me.

What are the key issues facing your constituency?

North Belfast has an acute shortage of affordable and social housing, which is leading to the breakdown of communities, with families being forced to move outside the area to find suitable housing. We are making progress, but I am determined to ensure no one is forced to leave north Belfast to find suitable housing.

We are blessed with wonderful schools in north Belfast and I am passionate about supporting them to ensure educational excellence for all of our young people. Education is the single greatest tool for empowering our communities and I want to see all children in north Belfast given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As north Belfast continues to move forward, it is vital that all communities feel the benefit. Only by achieving inclusive growth for all parts of north Belfast, can we ensure no community is left behind.

What are your interests outside work?

Outside of politics I am big football fan. I enjoy nothing more than following the Northern Ireland football team across Europe and further afield.