Tonight I attended, with my friend Roger Blaney, the Installation Dinner of Belfast’s new Lord Mayor, Alderman Gavin Robinson. The toast to him was proposed by the First Minister Peter Robinson.

Gavin was elected to office on 1 June 2012 and will serve as Lord Mayor until June 2013.

He has represented the Pottinger area of east Belfast since March 2010 when he was co-opted to replace Sammy Wilson. He was then elected in May 2011.

A life long east Belfast resident, the 27 year old politician continues to live in the area with his wife Lindsay.

Educated at Queen’s University, he read Law and attained a Masters in Irish Politics before commencing practice as a barrister.

He is currently a member of the East Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnership subgroup, having previously represented the council on the board of the Ulster Orchestra and the World Police and Fire Games 2013