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Michael Nesbitt, MLA (born 11 May 1957) is a Northern Irish politician and former broadcaster "'I could see myself getting old with Mike'" Belfast Telegraph, 29 February 2004; accessed 6 February 2009 currently serving as the Minister of Health since 28 May 2024. He has been the Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) since 30 August 2024 following his successful candidacy in the 2024 leadership election after previously serving in the role from 2012 to 2017. Nesbitt has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Strangford since 2011.
Nesbitt was appointed as the Ulster Unionist Party's Economy spokesperson by Doug Beattie, and was briefly the private secretary to the Health Minister, Robin Swann, in preparation for him succeeding Swann. Following Beattie's resignation as UUP leader on 19 August 2024, Nesbitt launched a successful campaign to succeed him.
Nesbitt and Bryans also co-presented weekly religious series Sunday Morning for Anglia Television from 1999 to 2001, Michael Nesbitt's filmography BFI Film and TV Database: accessed 5 April 2009 and two series of home and garden series Home Sweet Home for UTV. "Home Sweet Home" BFI Film and TV Database: accessed 5 April 20/9
Nesbitt also hosted Counterpoint Mike Nesbitt's filmography BFI Film and TV Database: accessed 5 April 2009 and made a guest appearance in comedy programme Everything You Know Is Wrong in 1998.
In 2006, Nesbitt announced he was not renewing his presenting contract with UTV. His final edition of UTV Live was broadcast on 10 February 2006. UTV Live Special – Mike Nesbitt's last day UTV Today; accessed 5 April 2009
Nesbitt resigned from the post on 17 February 2010 to become the parliamentary candidate for the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists – New Force in the constituency of Strangford. "Nesbitt is UUP election candidate" BBC News, 17 February 2010, accessed 17 February 2010 He lost out to the Democratic Unionist Party's Jim Shannon in the election. Strangford: Jim Shannon keeps Iris seat for the DUP BBC News, 7 May 2010
In the 2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Nesbitt was elected as one of six MLAs representing Strangford.
Nesbitt is regarded as one of the more liberal unionists, he had previously stated his opposition to same-sex marriage, but spoke in favour in 2017. His appeal to change the hands of leadership in Northern Ireland with the Social Democratic and Labour Party and Alliance Party fell on the deaf ears of Northern Irish society in which the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin claimed an increased victory over the opposing parties. He has been compared to reforming and liberal Ulster Unionist Party Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Terence O'Neill by some historians and politicians.
In May 2020, Nesbitt resigned as deputy chair of an Assembly committee after he admitted breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules by visiting a female friend. He announced that he had separated from his wife in January of that year.
Nesbitt was the UUP representative on the NI Policing Board from July 2020 until 2024.
Nesbitt was the Ulster Unionist Party's Economy spokesperson. In this role, he called on the United Kingdom government to cut Northern Ireland's corporation tax to appeal to businesses and U.S. investment in Northern Ireland. In August 2023, he called for duty-free shopping for flights from Northern Ireland to the European Union to be reinstated.
Nesbitt voiced concerns over the safety implications of the PSNI data leak. Furthermore, he said that he was concerned for the "wellbeing of the officers and police staff." Nesbitt also wrote to the Chief Constable Simon Byrne to ask for clarity over the theft of a police laptop.
On 22 August 2023, following an emergency meeting of the Policing Board, Nesbitt called on PSNI leadership "to form a plan to improve the appalling levels of low confidence in the PSNI." This came after a LucidTalk opinion poll revealed that public confidence in the PSNI was at its lowest ever.
In 2024, Nesbitt was appointed as the private secretary to the Health Minister, Robin Swann, and succeeded Swann as Health Minister following his resignation following the calling of the 2024 general election, in which Swann was a candidate.
Nesbitt welcomed the increase in the number of people supporting organ donation in Northern Ireland following the one year anniversary of the introduction of Dáithi's Law on 31 May 2024.
Nesbitt stressed the importance of being aware of the dangers of Ultraviolet exposure on 5 June 2024. He visited Kirkinriola Primary School to take part in a Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Sun Scientist session.
On 12 June 2024, Nesbitt said that the Health Inequalities Annual Report must be essential reading across all parts of public life in Northern Ireland, stating that health inequalities are 'a challenge to us all.'
Nesbitt congratulated Health and Social Care staff honoured in the 2024 Birthday Honours list on 14 June 2024. He sent his "warmest congratulations to each and every person nominated."
On 25 June 2024, Nesbitt welcomed the publication of final draft NICE guidance recommending use of the drugs Kaftrio, Orkambi and Symkevi for cystic fibrosis.
Nesbitt praised local health trusts after Northern Ireland became the first region in the UK to have all its diagnostic imaging services accredited on 26 June 2024.
On 28 June 2024, Nesbitt praised a family-run GP surgery for its commitment to the rural community in South County Armagh.
On 9 July 2024, Nesbitt announced that core grant funding for community and voluntary organisations will be maintained. He confirmed that £1.8m will be distributed, keeping it at the same level as the previous year. Nesbitt also announced £200,000 funding to help those suffering from substance abuse and mental health difficulties.
Nesbitt announced a series of key initiatives planned for the next six months on 10 July 2024. He also said that tackling health inequalities must be a "priority across all parts of government."
On 11 July 2024, Nesbitt made his first visit to Altnagelvin Hospital. He met with staff across a range of services and took a tour of the facilities.
Nesbitt welcomed social care reports on 18 July 2024. He emphasised that reforming adult social care is about so much more than easing hospital pressures.
On 19 July 2024, Nesbitt welcomed the BMA NI Consultant Committee's decision to recommend the department's proposed 2024/25 pay offer for consultants to its membership.
Nesbitt highlighted the role of Elective Care Centres in helping to reduce lengthy waiting lists during a visit to the Western Trust Elective Overnight Stay Centre on 24 July 2024.
On 21 August 2024, Nesbitt appointed Northern Ireland's first independent Autism Reviewer.
Nesbitt welcomed confirmation from the BMA Northern Ireland consultants committee that it will accept the pay offer tabled by the Department of Health on 23 August 2024.
On 27 August 2024, Nesbitt extended the appointment of Professor Siobhan O’Neill as the Mental health Champion for Northern Ireland.
Nesbitt acknowledged the "immensely valuable" contribution made by internationally recruited staff in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland on 29 August 2024.
In April 2012, Nesbitt announced that he wanted to make history by being the first leader of his party to attend a Sinn Féin ard fheis. He said: "We should be going to all the conferences of the main parties, not just the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats."
Shortly after his election, Nesbitt received attention when he criticised the Alliance Party, a rival party of the UUP. He called them "unprincipled and driven by self-interest" and said they presided over "a catalogue of disasters". He challenged their commitment to its core policy of a shared future, saying "I can only imagine the disappointment of Alliance voters hoping for a principled stance on a shared future." An Alliance spokesman retorted, saying "In last year's election the public showed growing support for the Alliance Party. These criticisms come from a newly elected leader with little experience who leads a party that is in decline at a time when Alliance is in the ascendant. We will not, therefore, be responding to these silly remarks."
Nesbitt has tried to present a unionism which is more accommodating to aspects of Irish culture; for example he visited the Gaeltacht Quarter on the Falls Road, Belfast as the first step in trying to overturn the perception of some that his party is hostile to the Irish language.
Following the 2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Nesbitt announced his intention to step down as party leader, which he did on 8 April 2017.
Following the closure of nominations, Nesbitt held a press conference in which he paid tribute to the outgoing leader, stating that whenever he became leader last time Beattie's name "was the first on the list of the people I wanted to attract into the party". However, he refused to state whether Beattie had backed his nomination. Speaking about the current state of the UUP, Nesbitt said it "looks like what has happened is a badly split party."
Nesbitt will deliver his first speech as the new UUP leader remotely after he failed to recover from COVID-19 in time to attend the party's annual conference.
In July 2025, Nesbitt stated that he may step down as UUP leader before the next Northern Ireland Assembly election, with a decision expected by January 2026, which would trigger a leadership election.
Upon giving up broadcasting, Nesbitt and his second wife Lynda Bryans set up their own independent media services company. Nesbitt worked for a public relations company between his careers at BBC Northern Ireland and UTV. In April 2010, Nesbitt revealed that he had two daughters from a previous marriage with whom he has had no contact since his divorce from their mother.
Nesbitt has four children.
Political career
In January 2008, Nesbitt was announced as a Commissioner of Victims and Survivors, "Victims' posts details revealed" BBC News, 28 January 2008 a Northern Ireland Assembly role designed to promote the interests of victims of the Troubles.
Minister of Health (2024–present)
Appointment
Nesbitt succeeded Robin Swann as Health Minister following his resignation on 28 May 2024. His appointment prompted a resignation from the UUP after Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Councillor Paul Michael resigned citing Nesbitt's breach of the COVID-19 regulations during the pandemic in which he was involved in an extramarital affair as the reason. Nesbitt called being health minister "the political honour" of his life but also the "ultimate political challenge of my life."
2024
May
On 29 May 2024, Nesbitt stated that he is not prepared to implement "catastrophic cuts" to services. He also vowed not to shirk hard or controversial decisions in the remaining three years of the Assembly mandate. He also visited L'Arche Village in Belfast and presented certificates at the Orchardville Society's annual awards at Titanic Belfast in his first engagements. Nesbitt said that he would be a champion for both patients and healthcare staff.
June
On 3 June 2024, Nesbitt made his opening statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly as Health Minister.
July
Nesbitt welcomed additional in-year funding for the Department of Health on 1 July 2024. However, he also said a "significant shortfall" remains in the department's budget.
August
On 1 August 2024, Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long launched a new Care Pathway and Model to provide streamlined access to Community Forensic Services.
September
On 11 September 2024, Nesbitt launched a new health and wellbeing framework for staff working within Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
2025
April
On 8 April 2025, When asked about the possibility of introducing a Surgical Mesh Redress Scheme in Northern Ireland—similar to the one established in Scotland—Nesbitt described the situation as “unfortunate”, adding that he did not wish to act as a devolved government or “sow the seeds of division” among the thousands left disabled.
Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
First term (2012–2017)
Mike Nesbitt was elected as UUP party leader on 31 March 2012. He defeated South Down assembly member John McCallister with a final vote tally of 536 votes to 129. Nesbitt said he wanted the UUP to become "the party of choice for every pro-union voter in Northern Ireland".
2024 leadership campaign
On 27 August 2024, following the resignation of Doug Beattie as UUP leader, the News Letter reported that Nesbitt would be the only candidate to succeed him and would run on a ticket of reforming the party. In a statement, UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler endorsed him saying he would lead a "revised and refreshed" leadership team offering "an exciting opportunity". Nesbitt will remain as Health Minister when he takes up the leadership role. On 30 August 2024, he was the only nominated candidate received by party officers.
Second term (2024–present)
Nesbitt will be ratified as leader at an extraordinary general meeting of the party on 14 September. He will become the first person to have twice held the position of UUP leader. On 9 September 2024, the EGM was cancelled by party officers.
Personal life
Nesbitt was born in Belfast. Mike Nesbitt's profile on u.tv WebArchive.org: captured 11 July 2002; accessed 5 April 2009 He attended Campbell College, Belfast "My hopes for 2006" Belfast Telegraph, 28 December 2005, accessed 5 April 2009 and studied at Jesus College, Cambridge.
External links
Categories: 1957 Births, Living People, Television Presenters From Northern Ireland, Journalists From Northern Ireland, Broadcasters From Belfast, Politicians From Belfast, Utv People, Ulster Unionist Party Mlas, Northern Ireland Mlas 2011–2016, Alumni Of Jesus College, Cambridge, Northern Ireland Mlas 2016–2017, Presbyterians From Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Mlas 2017–2022, Northern Ireland Mlas 2022–2027, Leaders Of The Ulster Unionist Party
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