Ruth Patterson (politician)

Ruth Patterson
Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
In office 2011–2012
Preceded by	William Humphrey
Succeeded by	Tierna Cunningham
In office 2006–2007
Preceded by	Pat Convery
Succeeded by	Bernie Kelly
High Sheriff of Belfast
In office 2004–2005
Preceded by	Margaret Clarke
Succeeded by	David Browne
Member of Belfast City Council
In office 22 May 2014 – 2 May 2019
Preceded by	New district
Succeeded by	Áine Groogan
Constituency	Botanic
In office 7 June 2001 – 22 May 2014
Preceded by	Harry Smith
Succeeded by	Christopher Stalford
Constituency	Balmoral
Personal details
Born	Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Political party	TUV (since 2021) DUP (1998 - 2015)
Other political affiliations	Independent Unionist (2015-2019)

Ruth Patterson is a former Northern Irish unionist politician who was deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast between 2006 and 2007, then 2011 to 2012. Additionally, she served as High Sheriff of Belfast from 2004 to 2005. Patterson was a Belfast City councillor from 2001 to 2014, initially for the Balmoral DEA, later Botanic.

Background

Originally from Dungannon, Patterson moved to Belfast in the 1974 in to train as a nurse in the Royal Victoria Hospital. She later joined the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) during The Troubles, serving for three years.

Political career

Patterson joined the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in 1998, following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Commenting on the signatories of the Agreement in 1999, she said:“May god forgive them , for I won’t … and neither will the children of Ulster.”

She was the campaign manager for successful DUP candidates, Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds, at the 2001 general election.