Carla Lockhart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carla Lockhart
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Member of Parliament for Upper Bann |
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| Assumed office 12 December 2019 |
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| Preceded by | David Simpson |
| Majority | 7,406 (15.6%) |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Upper Bann |
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| In office 5 May 2016 – 13 December 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Stephen Moutray |
| Succeeded by | Diane Dodds |
| Member of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council | |
| In office 22 May 2014 – 5 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Council established |
| Succeeded by | Terry McWilliams |
| Constituency | Lurgan |
| Mayor of Craigavon | |
| In office 2012–2013 |
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| Preceded by | Alan Carson |
| Succeeded by | Mark Baxter |
| Member of Craigavon Borough Council |
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| In office 2007 – 22 May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Fergie Dawson |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Lurgan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Carla Rebecca Lockhart
28 February 1985 Aughnacloy, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Rodney Condell |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Ulster University |
Carla Rebecca Lockhart (born 28 February 1985) is a politician from Northern Ireland. She is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Since December 2019, she has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Upper Bann. An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the UK Parliament in London.
Carla Lockhart also speaks for the DUP on topics like environment, food, and farming. Before becoming an MP, she was a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Upper Bann from 2016 to 2019. MLAs represent their areas in the Northern Ireland Assembly, which makes laws for Northern Ireland.
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Early Life and Education
Carla Rebecca Lockhart was born on 28 February 1985 in Aughnacloy, County Tyrone. She grew up in a working-class family. She went to Aughnacloy High School. After that, she studied at Armagh Tech, which is now part of Southern Regional College. She then earned a business degree from the University of Ulster. From a young age, Carla was interested in politics and was part of the DUP's Young Democrats group.
Political Journey
Carla Lockhart began her political career in local government.
Local Council Work
In 2007, she was elected to the Craigavon Borough Council. She represented the Lurgan area as a local councillor. A councillor helps make decisions for their local town or district.
From 2012 to 2013, Carla Lockhart served as the Mayor of Craigavon. The Mayor is the leader of the local council. She stepped down from the council in 2016 to run for the Northern Ireland Assembly elections. She also led the Local Government Association of Northern Ireland from 2015 to 2016.
While working as a councillor, she also worked full-time at the DUP Advice Centre in Lurgan. This centre helps local people with their problems and questions.
Serving in the Northern Ireland Assembly
In 2016, Carla Lockhart was elected as an MLA for Upper Bann. As an MLA, she worked in the Northern Ireland Assembly, which is the government for Northern Ireland.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
On 8 November 2019, Carla Lockhart announced she would run to become an MP for the Upper Bann Westminster constituency. On 13 December 2019, she won the election and became the new MP. She took over from the previous MP, David Simpson, who was retiring. When she became an MP, she left her role as an MLA.
In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Carla Lockhart was re-elected as the MP for Upper Bann. She won with a majority of 7,406 votes. This means she received 7,406 more votes than the candidate who came in second place. Her share of the vote increased to 45.7%.
Community Involvement
Carla Lockhart is also involved in local schools. She is a governor at Lurgan Junior High School and Magheralin Primary School. School governors help to guide and oversee how schools are run.
Political Views and Actions
In November 2022, Carla Lockhart supported the DUP's decision to not take part in the Northern Ireland Executive. The Executive is the main decision-making body in Northern Ireland. She said the party had a democratic mandate to do this. A democratic mandate means they had the support of the voters to make that decision.
In December 2022, Carla Lockhart, along with other politicians, signed a letter. This letter asked the British Government to stop a new law proposed by the Scottish Government.
In April 2025, Carla Lockhart spoke out about a music group called Kneecap. She asked for them to be stopped from entering the USA and Canada for their tour. This was because of things the group was accused of saying at past performances.
Personal Life
Carla Lockhart is a member of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. She is married to Rodney Condell, who works as a quantity surveyor. They have one child.
