David Hilditch

David Hilditch (23 July 1963 – 5 November 2023) was a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician who was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Antrim from 1998 to 2023.

Biography
David Hilditch was born in Carrickfergus on 23 July 1963. He previously worked in the construction industry and for Royal Mail between 1987 and 1998. In February 1997 he was awarded the RUC Bravery Award following a post office robbery. He was first elected to Carrickfergus Borough Council in 1991. He was elected as deputy mayor in 1995 and elected to mayor in 1997 and also served as mayor from 2004 to 2008.

Hilditch was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Antrim in 1998 and again in both 2003 and 2007. He was one of the top questioners in the 1998–2003 Assembly, serving on the Employment and Learning Committee and Culture Arts and Leisure Committee. He was the vice-chair of the Social Development Committee, and was a member of the Standards and Privileges Committee and the Employment and Learning Committee. He was also secretary of Carrick Rangers Football club. At the 2017 Assembly election, he was re-elected on the first count. At the 2022 Assembly election, he was elected on the fifth count.

Hilditch was a member of the Apprentice Boys. His son, Stuart, died on 10 September 2019 after a three-year battle with multiple myeloma.

He resigned from the Assembly in September 2023, due to ill health.

Hilditch died from cancer on 5 November 2023, at the age of 60.