Jim Allister

TUV- North Antrim

Jim Allister is the leader of Traditional Unionist Voice. He resigned from the DUP over its decision to enter into a power sharing administration with Sinn Fein.

A noted Eurosceptic, he served Northern Ireland in the European Parliament 2004-09, where he was named by the Taxpayers' Alliance as the UK's best MEP.

In the 2009 European Election he captured almost a third of the Unionist vote.

Born in County Down in 1953 into a farming family, he studied at Regent House, Newtownards and Queen's University Belfast, when he first engaged in politics. Having studied law he was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1976 and in 2001 was elevated to the Senior Bar, where he enjoyed a successful career specialising in criminal law.

Living in the heart of County Antrim, he is married to Ruth. They have three grown up children, a daughter and two sons.

He represented North Antrim in the Stormont Assembly 1982-86.

Profile based on information supplied by the party.