Drew Nelson

Who is Drew Nelson?

Drew Nelson LLB is a solicitor, former politician and Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.

In 1992 Nelson was selected by the South Down constituency of the Ulster Unionist Party to succeed Enoch Powell as parliamentary candidate. He lost to Eddie McGrady by 6000 votes. In 1989 he topped the poll in Dromore DEA and was elected to Banbridge District Council. He retained his seat in 1993 and went on to become Chairman of the Council before standing down in 1997. In 1996 he expressed support for the UUP ending or reforming its link with the Orange in an attempt to broaden its appeal, for which he was heckled. He also supported power sharing with the Social Democratic and Labour Party in a devolved unitary legislature, however he opposed the Belfast Agreement.

He was fourth on the UUP list for election to the Northern Ireland Forum in South Belfast In 2004, he left the UUP and in 2005 became Grand Secretary of the Orange Institution.