Former MP South Down (2010 -2017); Former MLA & Former Minister, former District Councillor & now a Member of the House of Lords & Hon Prof of Practice (QUB)
Joined April 2011
- Tweets 11,203
- Following 7,552
- Followers 8,632
- Likes 21,697
386 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
22 May 2024
Downpatrick: The local people focussed on regeneration - BBC News - Absolutely spot on. Mal is right. Downpatrick’s potential lies with cultural heritage assets/St Patrick & it’s people - working together with local Govt, NI Executive & business bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjll…
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Margaret Ritchie retweeted
Jun 9
The horrific knife attack isn't new nor "alien” to NI. The Shankill Butchers were Belfast born & bred. They cut throats from ear to ear. Let’s not engage in historical amnesia just because previous barbarity was never videoed nor went viral.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comme…
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May 31
Downpatrick: Shot fired as officer is struck by stolen police car - BBC News - Totally unacceptable behaviour. Wishing the injured officer a speedy recovery. Agree with Colin McGrath that a full review of the incident is required. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3r2…
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May 29
Best wishes to @patsymcglone on his retirement from the Assembly. Patsy and I were first elected to the Assembly in 2003. A deeply courteous man. He is a hard working constituency representative who put the needs of people first.
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Margaret Ritchie retweeted
There are 2 climate and nature OQs coming up today in the Lords from 11am:
1⃣ @MRitchieSD asking when the 25-year farming roadmap will be published👨🌾; and
2⃣ @EarlRussellLD asking about how demand from data centres could impact our clean power 2030 and net zero 2050 targets⚡️
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Apr 13
Down Cathedral: Medieval remains returned to cathedral for reburial - BBC News - Fascinating story of our local heritage on the Hill of Down. Congratulations to QUB historian Brian Sloan bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyx…
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Hospitality: NI businesses losing out to 'significantly cheaper' bills across the border - BBC News - I will be urging the uK government to lower vat on hospitality businesses bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mj…
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Mar 17
Happy St Patrick’s Day from St Patrick’s Country to all!
And a happy St Patrick’s day to you Tom. Hope you are keeping hale and hearty!
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Margaret Ritchie retweeted
Nonsense. The St Andrews agreement removed the very deliberate cross community vote for nomination to the First Minister roles. You guys cooked up a deal with the DUP to embed extreme politics and endlessly run the "keep us in, to keep themuns out" election routine 🤷♂️ evidenced today when you both went down the same lobby to vote 🤝
Mar 9
This state was designed so a nationalist could never hold the office of First Minister.
History changed in 2024 when Michelle O’Neill became First Minister.
The SDLP proposal today to abolish the First Minister title brings them alongside some of the most extreme voices in loyalism and unionism, who want to ensure no nationalist holds the position again.
Incredible!
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Mar 10
NI MPs to meet with Treasury over 'unique' home heating oil 'challenges' - BBC News - I raised this in the Lords last nt urging the govt to assist oil users in N Ireland at this time of higher prices due to Iran war @MatthewOToole2 bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0e…
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Happy International Women’s Day to all my friends on X and further afield!
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Jon Sooel - You were a remainer when Cameron was PM, you were a brexiteer under Boris, you said it was shameful that Truss was still in the party but voted for her budget & now that the Tories are languishing in the polls you go to the party leading in the polls.
#bbcqt
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Chickenpox vaccine: 'My parents didn't know if I was going to live' - BBC News - I welcome the chickenpox vaccine. HofLords has set up a specialist time limited select committee on childhood vaccinations @mlchealth. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2ep…
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31 Dec 2025
A happy new year to all my friends on X and others. Wishing you health, happiness & prosperity in 2026. Thinking of those who departed including family, friends & colleagues in 2025. May they RIP.
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24 Dec 2025
A very happy & joyful Christmas to all my friends on X. As we celebrate Christmas with our families Let us not forget those who have been subject to war, violence & famine this year in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan - I hope that peace and reconciliation will be the feature next year
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23 Dec 2025
Government waters down farm inheritance tax plan - BBC News - Welcome News for local farmers as some of them will be taken out of the tax inheritance bracket. More to@be done @UFUHQ bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e9…
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22 Nov 2025
A wee word for Uaneen - the people of Ardglass wi never forget Uaneen; her late mother Mary; her father Brian and siblings. A beautiful creator and music innovator rte.ie/entertainment/2025/11…
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19 Nov 2025
Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment wait 'traumatic' for women, GP says - BBC News Breast screening &early diagnoses are vital in dealing with breast cancer - DoHealth need 2 act @mlchealth bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c781…
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14 Nov 2025
Down Recorder: 'A sad day for Downpatrick' as newspaper closes - BBC News - very disappointed about the closure of the Down Recorder. It was our local newspaper. An institution. Thinking of the staff; their families and Downpatrick bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q1…
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30 Oct 2025
Protect dignity: Stop the sharing of Accident Scene images in N.Ireland - Sign the Petition! c.org/9GBhzZNMy5 via @UKChange
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