Colum Eastwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colum Eastwood
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Eastwood in 2023
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| Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| In office 14 November 2015 – 5 October 2024 |
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| Deputy | Fearghal McKinney Nichola Mallon |
| Preceded by | Alasdair McDonnell |
| Succeeded by | Claire Hanna |
| Member of Parliament for Foyle |
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| Assumed office 12 December 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Elisha McCallion |
| Majority | 4,166 (10.9%) |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Foyle |
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| In office 5 May 2011 – 12 December 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Pól Callaghan |
| Succeeded by | Sinead McLaughlin |
| Mayor of Derry | |
| In office June 2010 – June 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Fleming |
| Succeeded by | Maurice Devenney |
| Member of Derry City Council |
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| In office 5 May 2005 – 22 May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | William O'Connell |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Shantallow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 April 1983 Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Social Democratic and Labour Party |
| Spouse |
Rachael Eastwood
(m. 2013; sep. 2022) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | Derry, Northern Ireland |
Colum Eastwood (born 30 April 1983) is a well-known politician from Northern Ireland. He was the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) from 2015 to 2024.
Since 2019, he has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Foyle. An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the UK Parliament. Before this, he served in the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2011 to 2019. He also worked on the Derry City Council from 2005 to 2011.
Eastwood was first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011. He was re-elected in 2016 and 2017. In December 2019, he was elected to the British House of Commons as the MP for Foyle.
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Early Life and Education
Colum Eastwood was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. He went to St John's Primary School and St Columb's College. Later, he studied Latin American Studies at the University of Liverpool. He did not complete his degree there.
Political Journey
Eastwood joined the SDLP in 1998 when he was just 14 years old. He wanted to support the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement was a big step towards peace in Northern Ireland. He was inspired by important political figures like John Hume.
In 2005, at age 22, he was elected to the Derry City Council. In June 2010, he became the Mayor of Derry for one year. At 27, he was the youngest mayor the city had ever had.
Working in the Northern Ireland Assembly
After being elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in May 2011, Eastwood became an SDLP representative. He worked on committees dealing with standards, privileges, and the environment. He also served as a private secretary to the Minister of the Environment.
In 2015, Eastwood ran for the leadership of the SDLP. He won the election, beating the previous leader, Alasdair McDonnell. He was re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2016 and 2017.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
On 12 December 2019, Colum Eastwood was elected as a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Foyle. He won by a large number of votes. He was one of the first new MPs from the 2019 election to give his first speech in the House of Commons.
He was re-elected as an MP in 2024. When he took the Oath of Allegiance to King Charles III, he said it was an "empty formula." He stated he took it "under protest" so he could represent the people in his area.
Leading the Social Democratic and Labour Party
After some challenging election results for the SDLP in 2014 and 2015, Colum Eastwood decided to run for party leader. On 14 November 2015, he won the leadership election. He defeated the current leader, Alasdair McDonnell, by 172 votes to 133.
In July 2021, Eastwood used a special parliamentary right to share information about 'Soldier F' in the House of Commons. This was related to the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972.
In August 2024, Eastwood announced he would step down as leader. He officially resigned at the SDLP's annual conference on 5 October 2024.
Family Life
Colum Eastwood married Rachael Parkes in December 2013. They separated in the summer of 2022. They have two daughters together. He lives in Derry.
Images for kids
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Eastwood in 2023
