Christopher Stalford
Northern Irish politician (1983–2022)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher David Matthew Stalford[2] (17 January 1983 – 19 February 2022) was a Northern Irish politician who was a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for South Belfast from the 2016 election until his death in 2022.
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Christopher Stalford | |
|---|---|
| |
| Principal Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
| In office 14 January 2020 – 19 February 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Catríona Ruane |
| Succeeded by | Carál Ní Chuilín (2024) |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast South | |
| In office 5 May 2016 – 19 February 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Michael McGimpsey |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Poots |
| Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast | |
| In office June 2013 – June 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Tierna Cunningham |
| Succeeded by | Máire Hendron |
| High Sheriff of Belfast | |
| In office January 2010 – January 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Frank McCoubrey |
| Succeeded by | Ian Adamson |
| Member of Belfast City Council | |
| In office 22 May 2014 – 5 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Ruth Patterson |
| Succeeded by | Lee Reynolds |
| Constituency | Balmoral |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 22 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Clarke |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Laganbank |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1983 |
| Died | 19 February 2022 (aged 39) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Laura Stalford[1] |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Wellington College Belfast |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
| Website | www |
Biography
Stalford was born in the Annadale Flats in south Belfast, on 17 January 1983.[3] He studied nearby at Wellington College Belfast and Queen's University Belfast.[4] After graduation he worked in the European office of Jim Allister three days a week, and the office of Peter Weir two days a week. He then moved to the DUP press office for six years and then onto the policy unit.[5]
At the 2005 local elections, he was elected to Belfast City Council, representing the Laganbank area[6]
At the 2014 local elections, Laganbank was abolished and he was re-elected for the Balmoral area.[7]
Stalford served as High Sheriff of Belfast in 2010. Aged only 27, the Belfast Telegraph described him as the youngest ever High Sheriff of the city.[3] He was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor for the 2013–14 term.[8]
In 2008 he was selected as the chairman of the Belfast District Policing Partnership.[9]
At the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election, he was one of two DUP candidates elected in South Belfast.[10]
Death
Stalford died suddenly on 19 February 2022, at the age of 39.[11][12] While Stalford was described as "unionist to the core", his funeral was attended by a range of political parties including Sinn Féin colleagues John O'Dowd and Deirdre Hargey, SDLP MP Claire Hanna and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long.[13][14]
When Edwin Poots was elected to Stalford's former constituency of Belfast South at the 2022 Assembly election, he paid tribute to Stalford and pledged to "build a legacy for Christopher".[15]
