David Hilditch: 1963-2023
One of Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MLAs has been described as a “strong principled unionist”, following his death.
Paying tribute to his life and work, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson MP said that David Hilditch had “served the people of East Antrim faithfully for over 32 years”, following the 60 year-old’s death from illness.
Having stepped back from public life in September 2023, Hilditch had been one of only three MLAs to have served continuously in the Assembly since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Born in Carrickfergus on 23 July 1963, Hilditch worked in construction and for Royal Mail between 1987 and 1998. In February 1997, he was awarded the RUC Bravery Award following a post office robbery.
Hilditch’s first entry into politics was in 1991, when he was elected to Carrickfergus Borough Council. During his time on the council, he served two terms as deputy mayor of the borough and one year as mayor from 1997-1998.
Affectionately referred to as “the mayor of Carrick” by the late Ian Paisley, Hilditch was then elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998, and was subsequently reelected the 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2022 Assembly elections.
Despite the length of his tenure, Hilditch never held a ministerial portfolio for the party but did serve as deputy chair for committees on infrastructure, audit, education, and social development between 2007 and 2022. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson MP paid tribute to the former MLA’s commitment to represent his constituents, even after being diagnosed with cancer. DUP chair Maurice Morrow described Hilditch as “dependable, reliable, honourable, trustworthy, and loyal”, adding that he will be greatly missed.
A lifelong supporter of his hometown team, Carrick Rangers, Hilditch served the football club over the years as chairman, secretary, treasurer, and safety officer. The club, in a statement, said: “It is hard to imagine Carrick Rangers without David Hilditch and his loss will undoubtedly be felt not just at his beloved Taylor’s Avenue but indeed by the entire Irish League family.”
His friend and colleague, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, wrote in an obituary that Hilditch was a “strong principled unionist”.
“I have sat in rooms sometimes with four or five and other times with a couple of hundred [people] who were angry about political developments but always had respect, listened to, and responded to David’s assurances.
“He fought for his constituents, he committed to them even in poor health and, despite all of the opposition and abuse, he kept the faith,” Wilson said.
This was echoed by Donaldson, who said: “Despite David’s battle with cancer, he served the people of East Antrim faithfully and only stepped back from elected office in September past. He had a passion for people and believed in serving others whether that was in the political realm or his beloved Carrick Rangers Football Club.”
Wilson said of Hilditch: “I am thankful that I could count him as a colleague over the years I have known him.”
