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==Abstentionism== |
==Abstentionism== |
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Like all Sinn Féin MPs, Gildernew follows a policy of [[abstentionism]] and does not take her seat in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster Parliament]] |
Like all Sinn Féin MPs, Gildernew follows a policy of [[abstentionism]] and does not take her seat in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster Parliament]]. In 2009 it was reported that although she billed UK taxpayers just 300 pounds in travel expenses, she claimed a 21 000 pound London housing allowance.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/apr/08/sinn-fein-expenses-martin-mcguinness Martin McGuinness defends Sinn Féin MPs' expense claims] <i>The Guardian</i> 8 April 2009.</ref> |
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==Offices held== |
==Offices held== |
Revision as of 07:14, 6 July 2010
Michelle Gildernew | |
---|---|
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development | |
Assumed office 8 May 2007 | |
Leader | Gerry Adams |
Preceded by | Bríd Rodgers |
Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone | |
Assumed office 7 June 2001 | |
Preceded by | Ken Maginnis |
Majority | 4 (0.01%) |
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Fermanagh and South Tyrone | |
Assumed office 25 June 1998 | |
Preceded by | new assembly |
Majority | 7,026 |
Personal details | |
Born | Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland | 28 March 1970
Nationality | Irish |
Political party | Sinn Féin |
Spouse | Jimmy Taggart |
Alma mater | University of Ulster |
Website | Michelle Gildernew MP MLA |
Michelle Gildernew (born 28 March 1970) is an Irish republican Sinn Féin politician. Gildernew has been the Member of Parliament for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency since 2001.
Gildernew has also been a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency since 25 June 1998.[1] She has been the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive since 8 May 2007.
She has been a member of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle (National Executive) and is the party's spokeswoman on equality and housing and has served on the Equality sub-committee and the Women's Forum. In the last Assembly she served as Vice Chair of the Committee of Social Development and was a member of the Committee of the Centre as well as statutory and ad hoc committees.[2]
Education and Background
Born in Dungannon, Gildernew attended St Catherine's College Armagh and later the University of Ulster, Coleraine. After graduating from university Michelle travelled extensively in Europe, the United States, and Australia where she worked for a year. Michelle is married to Jimmy and is the mother of two boys - Emmet and Eunan, and one girl - Aoise who was born in October 2008. Michelle is one of a family of 10 from a small family farm in county Tyrone.[3]
Political career
On her return in 1996 she stood for Sinn Féin in the Forum elections for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. In 1997 she was appointed Sinn Féin representative to London. She was elected MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the 1998 Assembly elections and has successfully retained her seat in the 2003 and 2007 elections. While in London she was part of the first Sinn Féin delegation to Downing Street in December 1997.[4]
Gildernew was elected in Parliament in the 2001 election, defeating the Ulster Unionist candidate by just 53 votes. In 2005, Gildernew was re-elected with an increased majority of 4,582 votes. In the 2010 election, Gildernew held her seat with the smallest majority, just four votes. The Democratic Unionists, Ulster Conservatives and Unionists, and Traditional Unionist Voice all chose not to stand candidates, giving independent Unionist Rodney Connor a free run. Gildernew received 21,304 votes to Connor's 21,300, with the Social Democratic and Labour Party's vote halved with Fearghal McKinney trailing with 3,574 votes.[5]
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development
During her time as Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Gildernew has dealt with epidemics such as the outbreak of bluetongue disease. She has also increased cross-border co-operation with the Republic of Ireland on farming issues.[6]
Abstentionism
Like all Sinn Féin MPs, Gildernew follows a policy of abstentionism and does not take her seat in the Westminster Parliament. In 2009 it was reported that although she billed UK taxpayers just 300 pounds in travel expenses, she claimed a 21 000 pound London housing allowance.[7]
Offices held
- Minister for Agriculter
- Member of Parliament
- Member of the Legaslative Assembly
References
- ^ Fermanagh and South Tyrone 1998
- ^ [http://www.fermanaghsouthtyronesf.com/representatives/14550
- ^ [http://www.fermanaghsouthtyronesf.com/representatives/14550
- ^ Profile of Minister Michelle Gildernew | Department of Agriculture
- ^ Election 2010 | Fermanagh and South Tyrone
- ^ [http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/consultations.htm
- ^ Martin McGuinness defends Sinn Féin MPs' expense claims The Guardian 8 April 2009.