HelplineMargaret Ritchie (Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick) is a Labour member of the House of Lords. She is the former MP for the constituency of South Down, where she served from 2010 to 2017 and is a former member of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2003 to 2012. Margaret has extensive political interests which include health, environment, Europe, young people and the economy.
Margaret is the former Minister for Social Development serving on the Northern Ireland Executive between 2007 and 2010. As a Minister her responsibilities included housing, urban regeneration, community development, child support and the Social Security Agency. She also served for 24 years as a Councillor on Down District Council and held the position of Chair and Vice-Chair of the council. After graduating from Queen’s University Belfast, and prior to her elected appointments, she worked as a Parliamentary Advisor and Assistant to the late Eddie McGrady who was the former MP for South Down.
In her spare time, Margaret pursues several different interests. Some of these include Patrician Heritage, walking, reading, theatre and cinema.
