17 Facts About Alex Easton

Alexander Easton was born on 19 May 1969 and is a Northern Ireland politician who has served as Member of Parliament for North Down since 2024.

Alex Easton previously served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for North Down from 2003 to 2024.

Originally a member of the Democratic Unionist Party, Easton represented Ballyholme and Groomsport on the North Down Borough Council from 2001 to 2014, and became an MLA in 2003.

Alex Easton left the party, then led by Jeffrey Donaldson, in July 2021 following disagreements over the party's leadership and has since stood as an independent unionist.

Alex Easton won the House of Commons seat of North Down at the 2024 United Kingdom general election as an independent, having failed to win the seat as the DUP candidate in three previous elections.

Alex Easton defeated the incumbent Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry with a majority of 7,305.

Alex Easton is of South African descent through his South African father.

Alex Easton grew up in Bangor, before moving several times and returning to Bangor when he was 10.

Alex Easton was educated at Gransha Boys High School and Bangor Technical College.

Alex Easton worked in the accident and emergency department in the Newtownards and then the Ulster Hospital as a clerical officer.

Alex Easton was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2003 election, for the constituency of North Down, and returned again in 2007,2011,2016 and again in 2017, when he topped the poll for North Down, having increased his vote each election.

Alex Easton stood in North Down in the 2017 General Election and polled 14,940 votes, nearly unseating the sitting MP Lady Sylvia Hermon.

Alex Easton is opposed to a border poll, and has said those politically backing a backstop through Brexit could potentially lead to a border poll and is a threat to the Union, which must be opposed.

Alex Easton announced his resignation from the DUP on 1 July 2021, stating that he saw no "respect, discipline or decency" in the party's recent behaviour.

Alex Easton was re-elected as an independent candidate in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election, topping the poll in the constituency for the fifth consecutive time.

Alex Easton was elected as an independent in North Down at the 2024 United Kingdom general election.

Alex Easton is a member of the Orange Order and the Church of Ireland.