James Clarke, known as Jim Clarke, is a former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician. Clarke was High Sheriff of Belfast between 1998 and 1999, and was a Belfast City councillor for the Laganbank DEA from 1989 to 2005. Political career Clarke became active in the Ulster Unionist Party, and was elected for the Laganbank area on Belfast City Council at the 1989 Northern Ireland local elections."Local Government Elections 1985 – 1989: Belfast ", Northern Ireland Elections He held his seat in 1993,"Belfast City Council Elections 1993–2011 ", Northern Ireland Elections and was then also elected to the Northern Ireland Forum, representing Belfast South."South Belfast ", Northern Ireland Elections However, he failed to hold this seat at the 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election.
In 1998, Clarke served as High Sheriff of Belfast,Damian McArdle, "Duchess in tribute to the fallen", Belfast Telegraph, 9 November 1998 and he held his council seat in both 1997 and 2001 before standing down in 2005. At that time, he was the chair of Belfast's Environmental Services Committee.Joe Oliver, "Cash down the pan... bank fury at loo plan", The People, 16 May 2004
In 2000, it was announced that Clarke owed nine years' worth of back subscription to the UUP's National Association of Councillors. Clarke stated that he did not see any point in paying.Noel Macadam, Top unionists slow to pay party dues, Belfast Telegraph, 19 February 2000
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