Ian Parsley

Not to be confused with Ian Paisley.

Ian James Parsley (born 3 May 1977) is a businessman and former, part-time politician from Northern Ireland. He was the Alliance Party candidate at the 2009 European elections, and served as Deputy Mayor of North Down.

He attracted considerable criticism and caused much controversy by switching to the Conservatives and Unionists as a parliamentary candidate for North Down in the 2010 General Election, but later that same year he left the Conservative Party having completed a year-long project with the Centre for Social Justice and subsequently rejoined the Alliance Party.

Background

Parsley was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and Newcastle University, graduating in Modern Languages.

Parsley currently works in public relations, as a media commentator on languages, welfare reform and football, and is a Director of Northern Ireland Screen. He is also Chair of the European Movement in Northern Ireland.

Other

Parsley is a writer in and about Ulster Scots and, despite having run against her at the 2010 General Election, he has campaigned alongside Lady Hermon on support for people with dementia and their carers.

Further reading

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