Harold McCusker MP |
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Member of Parliament for Upper Bann |
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In office 9 June 1983 – 12 February 1990 |
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Preceded by | Seat created |
Succeeded by | David Trimble |
Member of Parliament for Armagh |
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In office 28 February 1974 – 9 June 1983 |
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Preceded by | John Maginnis |
Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
Personal details | |
Born |
James Harold McCusker 7 February 1940 Lurgan, Northern Ireland |
Died | 12 February 1990 Portadown, Northern Ireland |
(aged 50)
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.
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.
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.