A selection of Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick’s votes

See full list of topics voted on

• Voted against encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2011.
• Generally voted for more EU integration Show votes 28 votes for, 5 votes against, 16 absences, between 2012–2017.
• Generally voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, 7 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Almost always voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 0 votes for, 9 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2016.
• Generally voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 2 votes for, 3 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2016. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Voted against raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010.

We have lots more plain English analysis of Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick’s voting record on issues like health, welfare, taxation and more. Visit Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick’s full vote analysis page for more.

Recent appearances

• Universal Credit - Question 7 Dec 2023

  My Lords, will the Minister give due consideration, along with his ministerial colleagues in government, for the need to reform the social security system to ensure that poverty, particularly food poverty and child poverty, is put at the centre of any new policy, to ensure that there is an elimination over the next number of years?

• Written Answers — Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Belfast Agreement and European Convention on Human Rights 6 Dec 2023

  To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Sharpe of Epsom on 20 November (HL Deb col 618), what steps they will take to (1) remain a member of the European Convention on Human Rights, and (2) protect the human rights infrastructure of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

• Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - Second Reading 5 Dec 2023

  My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Holmes of Richmond. I welcome the Bill, but there are some improvements that the Government could bring forward to provide better protection against the big tech giants. I feel that many of today’s arguments have coalesced around several points. The Bill deals with various aspects, and there are concerns that it does not contain any...

More of Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick’s recent appearances

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Profile

Non-affiliated Peer, Former Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA for South Down

Entered the House of Lords on 16 October 2019

Previously MP for South Down until 3 May 2017 — Dissolved for election

Entered the House of Commons on 6 May 2010 — General election

Entered the Assembly on 26 November 2003 — General election

Left the Assembly on 31 March 2012 — Resigned

Party was Social Democratic and Labour Party until 3 May 2017

Also represented South Down

• Wikipedia page
• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Social Media

• @MRitchieMP
• https://facebook.com/margaretritchiesdlp

Expenses

• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick campaigned to remain in the European Union Source: BBC

• Northern Ireland
• Treasury
• Energy and Climate Change
• Environment Food and Rural Affairs
• Department of Health
• Sellafield
• Aggregates Levy: Northern Ireland
• Cycling
• Hinkley Point C Power Station
• Food: Labelling

Currently held offices

• Member, Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (since 31 Jan 2023)
• Member, Windsor Framework Sub-Committee (since 14 Apr 2021)
• Member, Common Frameworks Scrutiny Committee (since 17 Sep 2020)

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Food, Poverty, Health and Environment Committee (30 Jan 2020 to 23 Jun 2020)
• Member, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sub-Committee (14 Oct 2015 to 2 Nov 2016)
• Member, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee ( 8 Jul 2015 to 3 May 2017)
• Member, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (23 Jan 2012 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Shadow SDLP Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) ( 6 May 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Shadow SDLP Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change) ( 6 May 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant Bill Committee (3 out of 8)