Alex Maskey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alex Maskey
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| 6th Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
| In office 11 January 2020 – 3 February 2024 |
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| Deputy | Christopher Stalford Roy Beggs Jr Patsy McGlone |
| Preceded by | Robin Newton |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Poots |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast West |
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| In office 3 November 2014 – 28 March 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Sue Ramsey |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Baker |
| In office 25 June 1998 – 28 April 2003 |
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| Preceded by | New Creation |
| Succeeded by | Fra McCann |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast South |
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| In office 26 November 2003 – 22 October 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Monica McWilliams |
| Succeeded by | Máirtín Ó Muilleoir |
| 59th Lord Mayor of Belfast | |
| In office 1 June 2002 – 1 June 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Rodgers |
| Succeeded by | Martin Morgan |
| Member of Belfast City Council |
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| In office 7 June 2001 – 13 October 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Sean Hayes |
| Succeeded by | Deirdre Hargey |
| Constituency | Laganbank |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 7 June 2001 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Paul Maskey |
| Constituency | Upper Falls |
| In office June 1983 – 15 May 1985 |
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| Preceded by | Gerry Kelly |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Belfast Area D |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Belfast West |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 January 1952 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | None (Speaker) |
| Other political affiliations |
Sinn Féin (before 2020) |
| Spouse |
Liz McKee
(m. 1981) |
| Relations | Paul Maskey (brother) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | Sinn Féin profile (archived 2007) |
Alex Maskey (born 8 January 1952) is a former politician from Ireland. He served as the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2020 to 2024. He was also the first member of Sinn Féin to become Lord Mayor of Belfast, serving from 2002 to 2003.
Maskey was a long-serving councillor for Sinn Féin, representing the Laganbank electoral area in Belfast. He also served as a MLA for Belfast West and Belfast South. He retired from politics in early 2024.
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Early Life and Education
Alex Maskey grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He attended St Malachy's College and the Belfast Institute for Further and Higher Education. After his studies, he worked as a labourer in the Belfast docks and as a barman.
He was also a very good amateur boxer. He won 71 out of 75 fights, which is a great record! During the late 1960s, a difficult period known as the Troubles began. Alex Maskey became involved in politics during this time.
Political Journey
Alex Maskey first tried to get elected in the 1982 Assembly Election but was not successful. However, in June 1983, he won a special election and became the first member of Sinn Féin to be elected to Belfast City Council since the 1920s.
When he first entered the council chamber, he faced a lot of noise and shouting. Some councillors even stamped their feet when he tried to give his first speech in Irish. Maskey became an important supporter of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams's political plans. Throughout his career, he faced many challenges and difficult situations.
In 1996, Maskey was elected to the Northern Ireland Peace Forum for the Belfast West constituency. Two years later, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Lord Mayor of Belfast
In 2002, Alex Maskey made history by becoming the first ever republican to serve as Lord Mayor of Belfast. One of his first duties was to open the annual Presbyterian General Assembly, even though he was not Presbyterian.
As Lord Mayor, Maskey was praised for laying a wreath to remember British soldiers who died in the First World War. He also displayed both the UK's Union Jack flag and the Irish tricolour flag side by side in his office.
Assembly Elections and Policing Board
In the 2003 Assembly election, Maskey won Sinn Féin's first seat in South Belfast. He later became one of three Sinn Féin members on the new Northern Ireland Policing Board in 2007. This board helps oversee policing in Northern Ireland.
In October 2010, Maskey resigned from Belfast City Council. This was part of Sinn Féin's policy to stop politicians from holding two major jobs at once.
Becoming Speaker
When the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont started working again, Alex Maskey was chosen as the Speaker on 11 January 2020. The Speaker is like the referee in a debate, making sure everyone follows the rules.
In September 2021, he announced that he would not run for re-election in the 2022 Assembly election. He said it was an "honour" to represent communities. Even after the 2022 election, he continued to serve as Speaker because a new Speaker could not be chosen right away. He officially left the Speaker's role in February 2024 and retired from politics.
Personal Life
Alex Maskey has been married to his wife, Liz McKee, since 1981. They have two sons together.
In December 2005, Maskey had a heart attack. A few weeks later, he spoke on BBC Radio Ulster about his health. .....
