Jim Clarke (Northern Ireland politician)

James Clarke, known as Jim Clarke, is a former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician. Clarke was High Sheriff of Belfast between 1998 and 1999, and was a Belfast City councillor for the Laganbank DEA from 1989 to 2005.

Jim Clarke
High Sheriff of Belfast
In office 1998–1999
Preceded by	Nelson McCausland
Succeeded by	Robin Newton
Member of Belfast City Council
In office 17 May 1989 – 5 May 2005
Preceded by	William Blair
Succeeded by	Christopher Stalford
Constituency	Laganbank
Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Belfast South
In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998
Personal details
Born	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Political party	Ulster Unionist Party
Spouse	Margaret Clarke

Political career

Clarke became active in the Ulster Unionist Party, and was elected for the Laganbank area on Belfast City Council at the 1989 Northern Ireland local elections.^[1] He held his seat in 1993,^[2] and was then also elected to the Northern Ireland Forum, representing Belfast South.^[3] However, he failed to hold this seat at the 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election.^[3]

In 1998, Clarke served as High Sheriff of Belfast,^[4] and he held his council seat in both 1997 and 2001 before standing down in 2005.^[2] At that time, he was the chair of Belfast's Environmental Services Committee.^[5]

In 2000, it was announced that Clarke owed nine years' back subscription to the UUP's National Association of Councillors. Clarke stated that he did not see any point in paying.^[6]