Harold McCusker

Harold McCusker MP
Member of Parliament for Upper Bann
In office 9 June 1983 – 12 February 1990
Preceded by	Seat created
Succeeded by	David Trimble
Member of Parliament for Armagh
In office 28 February 1974 – 9 June 1983
Preceded by	John Maginnis
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Personal details
Born	James Harold McCusker 7 February 1940 Lurgan, Northern Ireland
Died	12 February 1990 (aged 50) Portadown, Northern Ireland
Nationality	British
Political party	Ulster Unionist
Spouse(s)	Jennifer McCusker
Children	3
Alma mater	Stranmillis University College
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Teacher
Religion	Methodist

James Harold McCusker (7 February 1940 — 12 February 1990) was a Northern Ireland Ulster Unionist Party politician who served as the Deputy Leader of the UUP Assembly Group from 1982-86.

Early Life

The youngest son of Jim and Lily McCusker (he had one older brother), he was born and raised in the heart of Lurgan. Educated at Lurgan Model Primary School, Lurgan College and Stranmillis University College, before qualifying as a teacher. Before entering politics he worked in industry, latterly with Goodyear, in their Craigavon Plant.

Political career

He represented the Armagh constituency, and was first returned to the British House of Commons at the February 1974 general election. He was returned again in October 1974 and in the 1979 election. In 1982 he topped the poll in Armagh in the Assembly election.

At the 1983 general election, McCusker was returned for the new seat of Upper Bann. Alongside other Unionist MPs, he resigned his seat in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, in order to contest his seat again at the ensuing by-election. He was returned again at the 1987 general election, which was to prove his last — he died of cancer in 1990, causing another by-election, which was won by future Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.

Personal life

McCusker was an Orangeman and staunch Unionist. He was married, with 3 sons, Moore, James and Colin. His youngest son, Colin (who was 18 at the time of his father's death), ran for the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011 polling 3,402 1st preference votes, but failed to get elected. He served on Craigavon Council from February 2012 - March 2015 (also Ulster Unionist) and was elected the last Mayor of Craigavon in June 2014. Colin was elected to the new Armagh City, Banbridge & Craogavon Borough Council under RPA in May 2014.

Prior to his death from cancer in 1990, five days after his 50th birthday, McCusker was expected to rise further in the Ulster Unionist Party and British political scenes, due to his ability and popularity among his peers and the wider public. He was a member of the Methodist Church of Ireland (Lurgan circuit).

Election history

General Election 1987: Upper Bann
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	UUP	Harold McCusker	25,137	61.5	4.6
	SDLP	Brid Rodgers	8,676	20.5	3.7
	Sinn Féin	Brendan Curran	3,126	7.4	-2.0
	Alliance	Fionnuala Cook	2,487	5.9	N/A
	Workers' Party	Tom French	2,004	4.7	-0.8
Majority			16,461
Turnout				66.0	-6.0
	UUP hold		Swing

Upper Bann by-election, 1986
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	UUP	Harold McCusker	29,311
	Workers' Party	Tom French	6,978
Majority			22,333
Turnout
	UUP hold		Swing

General Election 1983: Upper Bann
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	UUP	Harold McCusker	24,888	56.9	N/A
	SDLP	James McDonald	7,807	17.9	N/A
	DUP	Jim Wells	4,547	10.4	N/A
	Sinn Féin	Brendan Curran	4,110	9.4	N/A
	Workers' Party	Tom French	2,392	5.5	N/A
Majority			17,081		N/A
Turnout				72.0	N/A
	UUP hold		Swing

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Harold McCusker