Ryan McCready

Northern Irish politician (born 1985/1986)

Alderman

Ryan McCready

Member of Derry City and Strabane District Council
In office
2 May 2019 – 19 January 2024
Preceded by| Maurice Devenney
Succeeded by| Janice Montgomery
Constituency| Faughan
Personal details
Born| 1985 or 1986 (age 37–38)
Nationality| British
Political party| Ulster Unionist Party (since 5 July 2021)

Independent Unionist (June - July 2021)

Democratic Unionist Party (before June 2021)
Occupation| Politician
Soldier

Ryan McCready (born 1985 or 1986) is an Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician, who served as a Derry and Strabane Councillor for the Faughan DEA from 2019 until January 2024.[1] McCready is a former soldier with the Royal Irish Regiment, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.[2] McCready is known for his active presence on social media.

## Career[edit]

In December 2011, McCready was honoured as the Most Outstanding Soldier by the Duke of Cambridge at an awards ceremony for British troops at the Imperial War Museum.[3]

In the 2019 local elections, McCready was elected to represent the Faughan district electoral area on Derry City and Strabane District Council, being elected on the 4th count for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

On 14 June 2021, McCready left the DUP, saying the party was "no longer compatible" with his beliefs following the ousting of Arlene Foster as party leader.[4] Consequently, he chose to sit on Derry and Strabane council as an Independent Unionist.

McCready joined the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) on 5 July 2021 as a "progressive and more moderate" alternative to the DUP. UUP leader, Doug Beattie, welcomed McCready's defection to the party, saying that McCready was an "impressive individual and impressive councillor".[5]

In the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election, McCready was the UUP candidate for the Foyle constituency. He received 3,744 first preference votes, and was eliminated on the final count.

McCready was re-elected to Derry City and Strabane District Council in the 2023 local elections. He topped the poll in the Faughan DEA with 1,282 first preference votes and was elected on the second count.

On 19 January 2024, the Ulster Unionist Party announced that McCready would step down from Derry City and Strabane District Council to take on a new role as Chair of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission.[6]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "UUP councillor Ryan McCready to step down from Derry and Strabane council". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2024-01-19. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
2. ^ "County Derry Royal Irish soldier given top honour". BBC News. 2011-12-21. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
3. ^ "County Derry Royal Irish soldier given top honour". BBC News. 2011-12-21. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
4. ^ "DUP councillor Ryan McCready resigns from party". BBC News. 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
5. ^ "Ryan McCready: Ex-DUP councillor joins Ulster Unionists". BBC News. 2021-07-05. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
6. ^ "Ryan McCready: UUP Derry and Strabane councillor to step down". BBC News. 2024-01-19. Retrieved 2024-01-19.