Danny Kinahan MLA
South Antrim UUP MLA Danny Kinahan has had a varied career in the army, farming and at Short Brothers prior to entering politics. He lives in Castle Upton in Templepatrick, a former medieval fort, chapel and Scottish baronial castle, which now houses an art gallery. He was elected to Antrim Borough Council in 2005 and stood for the Assembly in 2007. When David Burnside relinquished his seat in June 2009, Danny replaced him. He sits on the OFMFDM Committee, and is the Ulster Unionist Party’s environment spokesman.
How did you become involved in politics?
As the son of an Ulster Unionist, Robin Kinahan, who had represented Clifton in Stormont in 1958 and whose uncle founded the Alliance Party, I think entering politics was probably in my blood. I studied Politics at school and always followed it closely in Northern Ireland, in the UK and in the States. I was lucky that a slot came up in council for my own patch just as my own career was needing refreshing and was equally lucky
that the Assembly position for Stormont was vacated by Jim Wilson and then David Burnside at just the time that I felt ready to represent South Antrim in the Assembly.
What does the UUP uniquely offer young voters?
The Ulster Unionist Party is constructive, non-sectarian and forward looking. We want to build a Northern Ireland which is better for everyone who lives here – socially, economically and politically. For our young voters, we want them to come forward to share their vision with us.
The young people of this upcoming generation will bear the brunt of tuition fees, the effects of an aging population and unprecedented environmental concerns. Unlike their parents, they may struggle to get a foot on the housing ladder and rather than looking forward to a career for life, they may find that a ‘portfolio’ career will be the answer to their aspirations. This means that they will have to develop expertise, portable employment skills, and a resilience that will enable them to tough out difficult times. We believe that our place within the union will secure the links and networks they will need for a global economy – a parochial ‘Ulster alone’ approach simply will not work.
What form should the party’s link with the Conservatives take?
I had high hopes for the link with the Conservative Party – the electorate did not agree – that’s democracy. In my view the purest form of the union and the greatest chance of ensuring that the union remains is by strengthening our place within it.
We are also better placed to influence policy in Northern Ireland if we talk to the government rather than consistently selling Northern Ireland as the poor neighbour. We want tangible benefits, not just expedient political arrangements.
As my new party leader Tom Elliott has indicated, the link did not hold broad appeal and I support Tom’s decision to review the mechanism in consultation with party colleagues.
Has your experience in the army influenced your political outlook? If so, how?
My time in the army has had a major impact on all that I do. The welfare of your soldiers comes first and we politicians serve them. Loyalty to your senior officers and working as a team to achieve your aim is vital in the army, just as it is in politics. The broad church in the Ulster Unionist Party means constantly communicating and working with colleagues to help move the party forward as a team under the party leader’s guidance.
The army needed you to be disciplined and ready to be on-call and prepared for any eventuality. This experience is essential in the Assembly where day-to- day business chops and changes hourly – you need to be ready for anything at any hour. My family background instilled in me a very strong work ethic – this was reinforced during my time in the army – so if there’s a job to be done – let’s get it done!
Above all, if my army career taught me anything, it was the importance of communicating to your unit exactly what needed to be accomplished, how and why. The Assembly often falls short – we fail to speak in layman’s English, and we must.
At your quarterly UUP dinner, apart from new UUP members, who would be your three ideal guests and why?
Ronnie Barker – sadly no longer with us, he was a superb wordsmith and a huge comic talent.
Andrew Marr – A keen sense of humour allied to an enormous intellect.
David Bowie – I still love his music after all these years and I appreciate his view on the world.
How do you like to spend your free time?
As an Assembly member, there is not a great deal of free time so it becomes cherished. Where I can, I work on the farm, in the garden or in the woods. I play tennis and attempt to play golf occasionally. I normally start each day walking my dogs and end it reading, doing the crossword or watching a film – sometimes I try to do all three at once! If I had more free time, I would like to travel much more, particularly to spectacular locations such as the Himalayas.
