Member for South Belfast since 2005. Political career: Deputy Leader, SDLP 2004; Member, Northern Ireland Assembly, South Belfast since 1998; Elected to Belfast City Council 1997–2001; Elected to Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue 1996; Deputy Mayor, Belfast 1995–96. Special political interests: Countering educational disadvantage in low-income areas, widening access to university education. Profession/Trade: Medical doctor (inner-city family doctor for past 25 years). Education: St McNissis College, Garron Tower; University College Dublin (Medical School), MB, BCh, BAO.
b. 1 September 1949, Cushendall, Co Antrim. Married with three children.

2005				2001
SDLP GAIN	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
SDLP	10,339	32.3	1.7	11,609	30.6
DUP	9,104	28.4	-	-	-
UUP	7,263	22.7	-22.1	17,008	44.8
Sinn Fein	2,882	9	1.4	2,894	7.6
Alliance Party NI	2,012	6.3	0.9	2,042	5.4
Vote Dream	235	0.7	-	115	0.3
Workers Party	193	0.6	0.1	204	0.5
NI Women	-	-	-	2,968	7.8
PUP	-	-	-	1,112	2.9
Majority	1,235	3.9		5,399	14.2
Turnout	32,028	60.8	-3.1	37,952	63.9