Jim Wells (politician)

Jim Wells
Wells in 2021
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
In office 24 September 2014 – 11 May 2015
Preceded by	Edwin Poots
Succeeded by	Simon Hamilton
Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Interim 11 May 2006 – 30 January 2007
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Down
In office 25 June 1998 – 28 March 2022
Preceded by	New Creation
Succeeded by	Diane Forsythe
In office 20 October 1982 – 1986
Preceded by	Assembly re-established
Succeeded by	Assembly dissolved
Member of Down District Council
In office 7 June 2001 – 5 May 2011
Preceded by	William Alexander
Succeeded by	Garth Craig
Constituency	Ballynahinch
Member of Banbridge District Council
In office 15 May 1985 – 17 May 1989
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	Margaret Walker
Constituency	Banbridge Town
Member of Lisburn City Council
In office 20 May 1981 – 15 May 1985
Preceded by	Charles Woodburne
Succeeded by	District abolished
Constituency	Lisburn Area A
Personal details
Born	(1957-04-27) 27 April 1957 (age 67) Lurgan, Northern Ireland
Nationality	British
Political party	TUV (since 2024) DUP (1976-2022)
Other political affiliations	Independent Unionist (2022-2024)
Spouse	Grace Wells
Children	3
Alma mater	Queen's University, Belfast
Website	DUP

Jim Wells (born 27 April 1957) is a Northern Irish unionist politician who was Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety from 2014 to 2015. He additionally served on an interim basis as deputy speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly between 2006 and 2007. ^[1]

Formerly a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Wells served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for South Down from 1998 to 2022. He was one of the longest-serving MLAs at the time of his retirement in 2022.

Wells was a Down District councillor for the Ballynahinch DEA from 2001 until 2011^[2]