Samuel Wilson

Samuel 'Sammy' Wilson is an MP for the Unionist Party of Northern Ireland in North Antrim, holding the seat since 2003.

Sammy Wilson was born on 4 April 1953 and is the son of Alexander Wilson, pastor at a Pentecostal Church.

He began his career as a teacher at Belfast Grammar School, but moved into politics as the Ulster Unionist Party's Head of Communications. After 10 years working on the UUP's executive committee, leader of the UUP, Mike Nesbitt, gave Sammy Wilson the UUP's candidature for North Antrim. After winning the seat, Sammy Wilson became the Member of Parliament of said constituency.

The UUP had won 12/18 seats in Northern Ireland, with the Conservative Party holding the other 6 seats.

Upon Mike Nesbitt's death, Sammy Wilson succeded Nesbitt as leader of the UUP, no other MP challenged him. Once assuming the post, Wilson entered negotiations with the Conservatives to create an electoral pact in return for the UUP accepting the Tory whip. After massive backlash within the party, the UUP withdrew from the agreement in favour of attempting to unseat the Tories.

The UUP then entered negotiations with the Democratic Unionist Party, and both sides agreed to merge the two parties into the Unionist Party of Northern Ireland. Sammy Wilson became leader of the UPNI, whereas DUP leader Arlene Foster became deputy-leader.