Billy Armstrong MLA
Farmer and UUP MLA Billy Armstrong first joined the party in 1965. He was elected to the Assembly for Mid Ulster in 1998 and currently sits on the Business and Social Development committees. He is also deputy whip. Billy is married with four children.
How did you become interested in politics?
I have always had an interest in politics and was first elected into office within the Mid Ulster Ulster Unionist Constituency Association in 1995 as treasurer. This co-incided with significant boundary changes for the area.
A dairy farmer all my life, I was always very active within the community taking part in various groups including UFU, farmers’ groups, the loyal orders and have a keen interest in promoting the idea that people need to understand their roots, be proud of their background and have a vision of where we want to be in the future.
In 1974 I joined the RUC Reserves in an attempt to do my part to promote the rule of law, rid Northern Ireland of terrorism and provide a better future for all the
people of Northern Ireland.
My step into life as a political representative was an extension of that aspiration. The Belfast Agreement was not perfect but I saw it as a positive step in order to bring about stability to Northern Ireland. It was a process where parties had to negotiate for their own people. We are still in that process today. As a traditional unionist, I will continue to promote the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as the best option for all the people of Northern Ireland.
I was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998 and have been returned as a representative of Mid Ulster with an increased personal vote. I believe that the people of Mid Ulster recognise my commitment and dedication to them and that their views and concerns are fairly represented within the Assembly chamber and committees.
What are the main issues affecting Mid Ulster and what do you hope to achieve for the constituency before the next Assembly election?
I have campaigned hard in the past and I continue to have a strong passion for supporting agriculture and rural development, an industry that forms the backbone of not just Mid Ulster, but Northern Ireland as a whole. We have an excellent dairy, pork and beef tradition and in a food producing area, we have a duty in the Assembly to ensure that all our businesses have a fair return for their labours and can continue to develop and grow export markets.
The current recession has hit Mid Ulster particularly hard and I have always been a promoter of local businesses and supporting all types of home produce. Unemployment has always been an issue in the area since I was first elected back in 1998. During the boom period of construction and engineering there was a marked decrease in local unemployment figures, however with current recession, unemployment levels in Mid Ulster have risen by almost 200 per cent. I will continue to represent those affected and help individuals and businesses survive this downturn with renewed energy and confidence.
I have always been an advocate of our children having a first class education in first class surroundings, in smaller classroom sizes. I have successfully represented various schools in negotiations about their future.
Being a rural constituency our roads infrastructure is not only important to the numerous businesses that need to transport goods to the ports and to the residents who commute, but also for business and tourism in Northern Ireland as a whole. I have always been a promoter for improvements to the A29 that leads from Portrush, down through Mid Ulster to Armagh and beyond. I have seen some improvements but our smaller rural roads need to be better maintained to suit modern day traffic.
What are the most important aspects of social development in your view?
Firstly, tackling fuel poverty is key to ensuring that that we safeguard the most vulnerable within our society. This year, we had an especially bitter winter – the coldest in over 30 years. Ensuring access to warm homes not only improves physical and emotional well-being; it also saves lives. Coupled to this is the importance of raising knowledge of access to benefits so that our pensioners can live in security, safety, warmth and non-poverty.
Secondly, investing in our social housing to improve both its quality and quantity is vital in making a positive, everyday difference to people’s lives.
Finally, a lot of regeneration is currently going on within our town centres. This has exceptional benefits for all of us who use our public space and impacts positively on our local businesses and the wider economy. We must see that this regeneration continues to be wisely invested so that we see a long-lasting transformation of our local towns.
What have been the most memorable events in your Assembly career?
On a personal level during my time in the Assembly I have had the opportunity to meet the Queen and former US President Bill Clinton at Stormont. I also had a memorable run-in with the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, during negotiations at Hillsborough Castle following the collapse of the Assembly; at the bottom of the stairs I took the opportunity to tell him a few home truths; which I know had a lasting impression on him.
In 2002 the foot and mouth disease had serious consequences for the people of Mid Ulster and it was important that the farming community had a strong vocal representative. I assisted many people, in
Mid Ulster and across Northern Ireland, with their problems. It was a very tense period of time for so many farmers.
I am most proud of the vigorous and hard fought campaign to keep Stewartstown Primary School open. The school was threatened with closure for more than ten years and it wasn’t until December 2007 that the situation was finally resolved.
AlotofmyworkasanMLAhasbeen about achieving results for constituents, often giving them the opportunity to meet with government ministers who can provide them with face-to-face answers to their problems.
How do you like to relax?
I enjoy nothing more than getting home to relax on the farm and working with the animals, who don’t talk back.
I also have a keen interest in photography and family history – I like to look to the future but at the same time, always remembering the past.
