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Gavin Robinson MP: ‘We didn’t Brexit’
DUP MP Gavin Robinson talks to David Whelan about his role on the UK’s defence committee in the context of the invasion of Ukraine, his outlook on Stormont and his concerns with the Protocol. East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has never sought election to the Northern Ireland Assembly and yet he sees Stormont as “much more locally connected, much more relevant and of much greater import” than Westminster. Robinson acknowledges that there is some within unionism losing faith in Stormont but emphasises that it is not a mindset that he shares, describing it as an “incredibly important political construct”. “I truly place a value on Stormont working,” he explains. “It is my view that Stormont needs to work and that all 8
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sections of Northern Ireland’s community need to feel not only that they are part of the place but that their voices matter and that they can effect change.” To this end, the MP does not rule out involvement in Stormont politics in the future. However at present, he is focused on his current role. Robinson’s political career is now in its second decade, having served on Belfast City Council from 2010 to 2015, including as Lord Mayor, before election to Westminster in 2015, a feat he has repeated a further two times. A typical working week for Robinson
would see him travel to Westminster for parliamentary business on a Monday and typically stay until Thursday, where he would return to work in the constituency. However, with the business schedule only set on the previous Thursday, the MP’s schedule is often subject to change. He admits that being a parliamentarian can be difficult on family life. As a married father of one, he places great emphasis on time at home but admits that his schedule is often congested. “Being at home often means being located in Belfast,” he says. “It doesn’t make family life easy, and the truth is that when you are back in your constituency it
