John Alderdice, Baron Alderdice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Alderdice
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Official portrait, 2023
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| President of Liberal International | |
| In office 25 April 2005 – 20 April 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck |
| Succeeded by | Hans van Baalen |
| 1st Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
| In office 1 July 1998 – 29 February 2004 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| First Minister | First Ministers (1998–2002) David Trimble Reg Empey (Acting) David Trimble Direct Rule First Ministers (2002–2004) John Reid Paul Murphy |
| Deputy | Sir John Gorman Donovan McClelland Jane Morrice Jim Wilson |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Eileen Bell |
| Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland | |
| In office 1987–1998 |
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| Deputy | Gordon Mawhinney Seamus Close |
| General Secretary | Eileen Bell David Ford |
| Preceded by | John Cushnahan |
| Succeeded by | Seán Neeson |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast East |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 26 November 2003 |
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| Preceded by | New Creation |
| Succeeded by | Naomi Long |
| Member of Belfast City Council |
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| In office 17 May 1989 – 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Oliver Napier |
| Succeeded by | David Alderdice |
| Constituency | Victoria |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 5 November 1996 Life Peerage |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 March 1955 Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Other political affiliations |
Alliance |
| Spouse | Joan Hill |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
John Thomas Alderdice, Baron Alderdice (born 28 March 1955) is a politician from Northern Ireland. He served as the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 1998 to 2004. He was also a member of the Assembly (MLA) for East Belfast from 1998 to 2003. Before that, Alderdice led the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland from 1987 to 1998. Since 1996, he has been a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament, representing the Liberal Democrats.
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About John Alderdice's Early Life
John Alderdice was born on March 28, 1955. His parents were David Alderdice and Annie Margaret Helena Shields. He grew up and went to school at Ballymena Academy.
Education and Family Life
After school, he studied medicine at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). He became a qualified doctor in 1978. In 1977, he married Joan Hill. They have two sons and one daughter together.
Professional Career
From 1988, he worked part-time as a special doctor called a consultant psychiatrist. He helped people with mental health issues in the NHS. He stopped working as a psychiatrist in 2010. He also taught at Queen's University's Faculty of Medicine from 1991 to 1999.
John Alderdice's Political Journey
John Alderdice has had a long career in politics, especially in Northern Ireland. He helped shape the future of the region.
Joining the Alliance Party
The Alliance Party was started in 1970. It offered a different way of doing politics, focusing on working together instead of divisions. John Alderdice was part of the party's main committee from 1984 to 1998. He led the policy committee from 1985 to 1987 and was the party's vice-chair in 1987. He then became the party leader after the 1987 general election.
Working for Peace in Northern Ireland
John Alderdice played an important role in peace talks. He was willing to talk with Sinn Féin after the IRA stopped fighting in 1994. Many people at the time thought these discussions were not acceptable.
Becoming Speaker of the Assembly
In 1998, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast East. He then became the Assembly's very first Speaker. This meant he was in charge of leading the Assembly's meetings. He served as Speaker until 2004. He stepped down as the Alliance Party leader in 1998 to take on this important role.
Serving on Belfast City Council
Before becoming Speaker, John Alderdice was also a member of the Belfast City Council. He represented the Victoria area from 1989 until 1997.
Becoming a Lord in the UK Parliament
On October 8, 1996, John Alderdice was given a special title: Baron Alderdice. This made him a life peer, which means he became a member of the House of Lords for life. He was one of the youngest people ever to receive this honor. In the House of Lords, he sits with the Liberal Democrats party.
Leading Liberal Democrats
On June 10, 2010, he was chosen for a new role. He became the convenor of the Liberal Democrat peers. In this job, he leads the Liberal Democrat members in the House of Lords.
President of Liberal International
He was also elected as the president of Liberal International in 2005. This is a worldwide organization for liberal political parties. He held this position until 2009.
Awards and Special Recognitions
John Alderdice has received many awards for his work. These include the John F Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award in 1998. He also received the W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award in 1998. He was given medals from the Congress of Peru in 1999 and 2004. In 1991, he was given the Freedom of the City of Baltimore.
In 2001, he was made an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He also received an honorary doctorate in law from Robert Gordon University.
Images for kids
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Coronet of a British Baron
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Alderdice Escutcheon
See also
- List of Northern Ireland members of the House of Lords
