Paula Bradshaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paula Bradshaw
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Bradshaw in 2021
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| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast South |
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| Assumed office 5 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Anna Lo |
| Member of Belfast City Council |
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| In office 22 May 2014 – 7 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Ekin |
| Succeeded by | Kate Nicholl |
| Constituency | Balmoral |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 November 1972 |
| Nationality | Northern Irish |
| Political party | Alliance (2010–present) Ulster Unionist (until 2010) |
| Spouse |
Ian Parsley
(m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Ulster Queen's University Belfast |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Community worker |
Paula Jane Bradshaw, born on November 1, 1972, is a politician from the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. She has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for South Belfast since the election in 2016. In 2024, she was chosen to be the Alliance Party's Chief Whip, which is a role that helps make sure party members vote together.
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Early Life and Education
Paula Bradshaw went to Whiteabbey Primary School and then Belfast High School. After that, she studied European Business at Ulster University at Coleraine. She later continued her studies part-time at the Jordanstown campus, focusing on law and government.
Starting Her Career
After finishing university, Paula worked in market research in Sheffield for a year. She then returned to Belfast to work for the South Belfast Traders Association. After three years, she became an economic development officer for the South Belfast Partnership Board. In 2003, she became the director of the Greater Village Regeneration Trust. She stayed in this role until she was elected to the Assembly in 2016.
Her Journey in Politics
Paula Bradshaw first ran for election in 2010 as part of the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists. She was not elected at that time. In October 2010, she left the Ulster Unionist Party. She later explained that she felt the party was not welcoming to everyone.
Joining the Alliance Party
In November 2010, Paula Bradshaw joined the Alliance Party. Her first public role was when she was elected to Belfast City Council in May 2014. She represented the Balmoral area.
Becoming an MLA
Paula Bradshaw was chosen to take over from Anna Lo as the main Alliance candidate for Belfast South. She was elected as an MLA in the 2016 Assembly elections. She was re-elected in the 2017 snap election.
She is currently the Alliance Party's spokesperson for health. In 2020, she was appointed to a special role at the Department of Justice to support Minister Naomi Long. Paula was re-elected again in the 2022 election. In that election, the Alliance Party became the biggest party in South Belfast for the first time, and her fellow candidate Kate Nicholl was also elected.
Personal Life
Paula Bradshaw is married to Ian Parsley, who is also involved with the Alliance Party. She has two children.
