Martin Stephens (politician) explained

Party:Democratic Alliance (since September 2005)
Office1:Member of the National Assembly
Termstart1:23 April 2004
Termend1:May 2009
Citizenship:South Africa
Birth Date:23 September 1945
Constituency Am2:Florida
Office2:Member of the House of Assembly
Termstart2:1970
Termend2:1974
Otherparty:

Martin Stephens (born 23 September 1945) is a South African politician who served in the National Assembly from 2004 to 2009. He was the finance spokesperson for the United Democratic Movement (UDM) until September 2005, when he crossed the floor to the Democratic Alliance (DA). He formerly represented the United Party in the apartheid-era House of Assembly.

Early life and career

Stephens was born on 23 September 1945.[1] He joined the House of Assembly in 1970 when he was elected to represent the constituency of Florida outside Johannesburg. He was the youngest MP in the house at the time and held his seat until 1974.[2]

Post-apartheid career

In the 2004 general election, Stephens was elected to a seat in the National Assembly, ranked fourth on the UDM's national party list. He served as the UDM's spokesman on finance.[3] However, during the floor-crossing period of September 2005, he left the UDM and defected to the DA.[4] He spent the rest of the legislative term under the DA's banner, serving as the party's spokesman on public enterprises.[5] [6] He did not stand for re-election in 2009.[7]

Notes and References

  1. 20 April 2004 . General Notice: Notice 717 of 2004 - Electoral Commission – List of Names of Representatives in the National Assembly and the Nine Provincial Legislatures in Respect of the Elections Held on 14 April 2004 . . Pretoria, South Africa . . 466 . 2677 . 4–95 . 26 March 2021.
  2. News: 2 September 2005 . UDM MP defects to DA . IOL . 16 June 2023.
  3. Web site: 2004-08-13 . UDM: Mboweni has shown foresight . 2023-06-16 . The Mail & Guardian . en-ZA.
  4. Web site: 2005-09-02 . Court reverses IFP expulsion . 2023-06-16 . The Mail & Guardian . en-ZA.
  5. Web site: 2005-11-28 . Minister should save Indian arms deal, says DA . 2023-06-16 . The Mail & Guardian . en-ZA.
  6. Web site: 2006-07-10 . DA moves to reshuffle shadow cabinet . 2023-06-16 . The Mail & Guardian . en-ZA.
  7. Web site: 6 April 2009 . 2009 National and Provincial Election – Final Candidate Lists . 27 May 2023 . Electoral Commission of South Africa.