Biography:
Margaret Ritchie was elected as SDLP MP for South Down on May 7th 2015 with 18077 votes, taking 42.3% of the vote.
She was appointed Minister for Social Development at Stormont on 8th of May 2007 and is the sole SDLP member of the new Northern Ireland Executive.
Her Ministerial portfolio includes responsibility for housing, urban regeneration, community development, Child Support and the Social Security Agency.
Since taking up office in May 2007, Minister Ritchie has refocused attention on social and affordable housing. She launched the New Housing Agenda in February 2008.
Margaret Ritchie’s political career began in 1985 when she was elected to Down District Council representing the Rowallane Area.
Later she was appointed Parliamentary Assistant and Political Researcher to the MP for South Down, Eddie McGrady.
Margaret was subsequently elected to Down District Council in successive elections 1985 and to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2003 and again in 2007.
Miss Ritchie resigned her council seat on the 22nd of June 2009, under the SDLP policy of double jobbing. Between February 2010 and November 2011 she has been Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
Constituency: South Down
Constituency Address: 32 Saul Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6NQ
Constituency Tel: 028 44 612882
Date of Birth: 25/03/1958
Email: margaret.ritchie.mp@parliament.uk
Party: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Personal Website: www.margaretritchie.com
Westminster Address: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Westminster Tel: 020 7219 3000 (Parliament switchboard)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MRitchieMP
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Margaret-Ritchie/107934712567649?fref=ts
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/margaretritchiesdlp?fref=ts
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