Jim Shannon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Shannon
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Member of Parliament for Strangford |
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| Assumed office 6 May 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Iris Robinson |
| Majority | 5,131 (13.2%) |
| Democratic Unionist portfolios | |
| 2017–present 2012–2015 |
Human Rights |
| 2015–present 2010–2015 |
Health |
| 2015–2017 | Equality |
| 2015–2017 2010–2015 |
Transport |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 2 August 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Simpson Gibson |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Forum for Strangford |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Local government offices | |
| 1991–92 | 14th Mayor of Ards |
| 1990–91 | 13th Deputy Mayor of Ards |
| Member of Ards Borough Council for Ards Peninsula | |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Robert Adair |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Richard James Shannon
25 March 1955 Omagh, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Spouse | Sandra Shannon |
| Children | 3 |
Richard James Shannon (born 25 March 1955) is a politician from Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Since 2010, he has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Strangford.
As an MP, Jim Shannon speaks for the DUP on topics like Health and Human Rights. Before becoming an MP, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Strangford from 1998 to 2010. He is known for being very active in Parliament, often speaking in debates to support other MPs. He also leads a group that works on international religious freedom and human rights. He has helped create new laws about things like access to defibrillators and religious freedom. Jim Shannon strongly supported Brexit, which was the UK leaving the European Union. In 2024, he took his parliamentary oath in Ulster Scots, which made news.
About Jim Shannon
Early Life and Family
Jim Shannon was born on 25 March 1955 in Omagh, Northern Ireland. He is married to Sandra Shannon and they have three children. In December 2022, he spoke emotionally in Parliament, thanking his wife for her support. He also shared that his mother-in-law passed away from COVID-19.
Community Involvement
Jim Shannon is a member of the Orange Order and the Apprentice Boys of Derry. These are cultural and fraternal organizations in Northern Ireland.
Jim Shannon's Political Journey
Local Government Roles
Jim Shannon started his political career in local government. He was first elected as a councillor to Ards Borough Council in 1985. He served as the Mayor of Ards from 1991 to 1992. He continued to serve on the council until 2011.
Northern Ireland Assembly
In 1996, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue. This was a group set up to discuss the future of Northern Ireland. Later, in 1998, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for Strangford. He was re-elected to this role in 2003 and 2007.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
First Term (2010-2015)
In the 2010 general election, Jim Shannon was elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom as the MP for Strangford. He won with 45.9% of the votes. After becoming an MP, he left his seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Second Term (2015-2017)
Jim Shannon was re-elected as MP for Strangford in the 2015 general election. He continued to be a strong supporter of Leave Means Leave, a group that campaigned for the UK to leave the European Union.
Third Term (2017-2019)
He was re-elected again in the 2017 general election. During this time, he was one of the most active MPs in Parliament. He often spoke in debates to help other MPs bring up important issues.
Fourth Term (2019-2024)
In the 2019 general election, Jim Shannon was re-elected for his fourth term. From January 2023, he became a member of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee. This committee looks at issues related to Northern Ireland.
Fifth Term (2024-Present)
Jim Shannon was re-elected for his fifth term in the 2024 general election. On 9 July 2024, he chose to say his parliamentary Oath of Allegiance in the Ulster Scots dialect. This was a unique moment. On 14 July 2024, he spoke on BBC Radio 4, saying he hoped for a deal that would help Northern Ireland. After the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July 2024, he asked the new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, about his plans for Northern Ireland.
In April 2025, Jim Shannon was included in a list of people sanctioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. He joked about this, saying it meant he couldn't take his "superyacht" to Vladivostok, but would instead take it to Ballywalter, his home village. In May 2025, he talked about how many people don't know about the "frozen pension policy." He compared this lack of information to the issues faced by the WASPI women, who were affected by changes to the state pension age.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2020
