Steven Agnew will step down as an MLA at the end of September. He took over the North Down seat for the Green Party from his former boss Brian Wilson in May 2011 and served as the Green Party’s leader in Northern Ireland from January 2011 until November 2018 when he was succeeded by the party’s second-elected MLA Clare Bailey (Belfast South).
Speaking about his intention to quit politics to take up a post of head of Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group (NIRIG), Agnew paid tribute to all those who had supported him over the years, leafletting, canvassing and putting up posters.
“Thank you to my colleagues across the political spectrum. All my successes; the Children’s Services Co-operation Act, the presumption against fracking, the divestment of the Assembly Members Pension Scheme, each was only possible through cross party support.”
Party leader Clare Bailey commented:
“Steven has served the people of North Down well over the past eight years. When Steven was our sole MLA he delivered the Children’s Services Co-operation Act – his record speaks for itself and we wish him every success in the future.”
While sitting in the so-called ‘naughty corner’ of the NI Assembly chamber, Agnew was widely respected. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood paid a particularly warm tribute to the departing Green MLA in a press statement:
“Steven Agnew is one of the most genuine and well-motivated people in public life. While he was Leader of the Green Party and later as a constituency MLA, Steven has always had the best interests of people at the centre of his political compass.
“Whether it was fighting the worst aspects of welfare reform together or working to deliver a strong remain vote in Northern Ireland, I always found Steven an enthusiastic colleague and I’ve enjoyed cooperating with him politically.
“He leaves a strong legacy of standing up for the environment in the face of a climate crisis, and often literally in the face of climate deniers, and of course his successful Children’s Services Cooperation legislation is a lasting testament to his enduring commitment to partnership. I wish him all the best with his new career and I’m sure he’ll remain a fierce advocate for people and planet.”
While quitting politics, Agnew is not turning his back on his passion to work on green issues.
“While of course sad that I will no longer be an MLA, I am incredibly excited by this new challenge. NI is already a leader in renewable electricity generation with over 40% of our supply coming from indigenous low carbon sources. The challenge is to reach 70% by 2030 and it will be my role to ensure we have the right policy context to make this happen. If we are to mitigate the worst effects of climate catastrophe this target must be met.
“… I have always said that the Green Party has more talent than seats and my stepping down will create the opportunity for someone else to step forward. Green means delivery and I am confident that my successor will deliver for the people of North Down.
The Green Party NI will announce Agnew’s replacement in North Down over the coming weeks.
In what must be a growing WhatsApp group for former MLAs, Simon Hamilton has taken up his new role as chief executive of Belfast Chamber. The DUP are replacing him with Harry Harvey in the Strangford constituency.
Alan Meban. Tweets as @alaninbelfast. Blogs about cinema and theatre over at Alan in Belfast. A freelancer who writes about, reports from, live-tweets and live-streams civic, academic and political events and conferences. He delivers social media training/coaching; produces podcasts and radio programmes; is a FactCheckNI director; a member of Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland; and a member of the Corrymeela Community.
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