Robin Swann is the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MP for South Antrim, having first been elected to parliament at the 2024 general election.

In the 2024 general election, Swann won 16,311 votes, representing 38.0% of the vote. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) candidate, Paul Girvan, received 8,799 votes (20.5%), while the Sinn Féin candidate, Declan Kearney, secured 8,034 votes (18.7%). Swann was duly elected with a majority of 7,512.

The South Antrim constituency is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Historically a strong unionist seat, it has been represented by both UUP and DUP MPs since 2000. It was represented by former UUP leader James Molyneaux from 1970 to 1983.

Political Career

Swann is a member of the House of Commons Northern Ireland affairs select committee (since January 2026) – the committee responsible for scrutinising the policy, administration and spending of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and its associated public bodies.

Swann is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) for healthcare workers and liver disease and liver cancer.

Swann delivered his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 22 July 2024 during a debate on the economy, welfare and public services.

In it, he said: “I carry the privilege and honour of returning the UUP to this place after a seven-year absence, and the charge and responsibility of bringing a moderate and reasoned Unionist voice from Northern Ireland, in my party’s tradition of working positively and constructively with all to achieve the best outcomes for all our people, and of working across this House to strengthen our Union and to deliver a Union for all.”

He added: “The government has the opportunity to reverse the past years of neglect. Health may be devolved, but that does not mean that we in this place can abdicate all responsibility for our national health service…

“As a former health minister of Northern Ireland, I know that we have plans to deliver better services, but change needs recurrent resources, which have been lacking in recent years. I look forward to working with this government to rebuild our national health service.”

Before entering the parliament at Westminster, Swann served as a member of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the North Antrim constituency from 2011 to 2024. During this time, Swann served as UUP chief whip from 2012 to 2017.

Swann was leader of the UUP from 2017 to 2019. He resigned to spend more time with his family.

Swann served two terms as Northern Ireland’s minister of health. His first term was from January 2020 to October 2022, covering the main period of the Covid-19 pandemic. His second term ran from February 2024 until he stepped down in May 2024 to contest the general election.

Swann gave evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry concerning his experience as Northern Ireland health minister during the pandemic.

Swann previously stood unsuccessfully for the parliament at Westminster in the North Antrim constituency in 2019. He also stood unsuccessfully for the NI assembly in 2007 before winning the seat in 2011.

Political Views

The UUP’s foundational principle is the maintenance and promotion of Northern Ireland’s position within the United Kingdom. The party was a key architect of the Good Friday Agreement and the power-sharing institutions it established. The party vision for unionism is generally said to be more inclusive and pluralistic than its rivals, such as the DUP and the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party.

In its 2024 general election manifesto, the UUP said the union had “provided stability, security and a framework for progress, enabling Northern Ireland to thrive within the broader British family.”

Brexit and Europe

Customs union vote (2025): In December 2025, Swann voted against the UK-EU Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill. The bill, introduced under the 10-minute rule procedure by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, sought to mandate the government to enter into negotiations with the European Union to establish a bespoke customs union.

Assisted dying

Swann voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, better known as the assisted dying bill, at both second reading (November 2024) and third reading (June 2025).

Social values and conscience issues

Abortion decriminalisation (2025): Swann voted against a backbench amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that sought to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in June 2025. The amendment, which was passed by a majority of 242 votes, removed women from the threat of prosecution for ending a pregnancy at any stage. As an issue of conscience, MPs were allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs.

Before Politics

Swann was born on 24 September 1971 in Kells, County Antrim. He attended Kells & Connor Primary School and Ballymena Academy.

Swann obtained a bachelor of science degree from the Open University.

Before entering frontline politics, Swann worked at McQuillan Meats from 1989 to 1993, and later for SGS, a multinational inspection and testing company.

Personal Life

Swann is married.

He is a member of the Orange Order.

Trivia

Swann has served as an MLA and MP, including as leader of the UUP.