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Robert David Stewart Campbell


Robert David Stewart Campbell, CBE, BAgr (born 25 May 1965, Belfast) is a British politician, farmer and businessman.

He is the son of Ronald (Ronnie) and Ann Campbell of Lisburn and was educated at Wallace High School and The Queen's University of Belfast. He is married to Linda (née Wilson) with two sons and lives near Carrickfergus. He founded The Somme Association in 1989, a registered charity which promotes the Irish contribution to the First World War. He served as Managing Director until 1998 and was responsible for constructing the Somme Museum at Conlig, building the Visitor Centre at the Ulster Memorial Tower at Thiepval, France; rescuing Craigavon House, Belfast (the historic home of Sir James Craig), and purchasing Thiepval Wood in France. He remains a Trustee of the Charity.

Campbell was one of the longest-serving Chairmen of the Ulster Unionist Party, having served as Vice Chairman in 2005. He was elected to Lisburn Borough Council in 1989 and served until 1993. Elected Member of Northern Ireland Forum in 1996, where he was Chairman of the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee. Was a member of Ulster Unionist Party Talks team in the All-Party negotiations that led to the Belfast Agreement. In 1997 Campbell contested the UUP selection meeting to succeed Sir Jim Molyneaux, however he lost out to party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson. Campbell also contested the selection meeting in South Antrim following the death of Clifford Forsythe. The selection was marred by internal division, with South Antrim MLA Duncan Shipley-Dalton claiming that UUP HQ were trying to foist Campbell on the constituency. Shipley-Dalton pulled out and Campbell lost out to anti-agreement candidate David Burnside.


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