Kellie Armstrong
| Kellie Armstrong MLA | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Strangford | |
|
Assumed office May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Kieran McCarthy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
8 September 1970 (age 46) Kircubbin, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Alliance |
| Alma mater | Queens University Belfast |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | Official Website |
Kellie Armstrong is an Alliance Party politician from Northern Ireland. She has been an MLA for the Strangford constituency since the 2016 Assembly elections.[1]
Political career
Armstrong has been an active member of the Alliance Party since 2009. She has held various positions including: secretary and chair of the Strangford Association of the Alliance Party, convenor of the Political Organisation - the committee that oversees election and activist activities, member of the Party Executive, a member of the Alliance Women’s Group and Vice Chair of the Party.
Prior to election to the NI Assembly Armstrong was co-opted onto Ards Borough Council to replace Kieran McCarthy and then elected in 2014 to Ards and North Down Borough Council representing the Ards Peninsula.
Armstrong stood as the Alliance Westminster candidate in 2015 securing the highest ever vote for an Alliance representative in the Strangford constituency.
Armstrong has over 16 years' experience in transport operations and legislation and is the Party's spokesperson on Infrastructure.
Armstrong is a member of the NI Assembly's Committee for Infrastructure and holds to account the Department's actions with respect to public transport, roads, water services and Planning matters.
Armstrong is also the Alliance Vice Chair of the Audit Committee scrutinising the work of the NI Audit Office and Public Service Ombudsman.
Armstrong supports integrated education and will be taking forward her private member's bill to legislate for better protection and promotion of integrated education across Northern Ireland.
Armstrong is committed to ensuring better access to services for people with disabilities. Having grown up with a brother with learning disabilities Armstrong has first-hand experience of the issues faced by people with disabilities and their families. In March 2016 over 8500 people signed her petition calling on both the Health and Education Ministers to reduce diagnosis waiting times and provide better access to services for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Armstrong supports the call for post 16 education for older children with disabilities and has submitted a petition to the Minister for Education calling on the creation of a 6th form at Killard House School.
Armstrong supports several groups that help adults with disabilities and their carers.
Armstrong has called on the Minister for Infrastructure to stop prioritising tarmac over people and ensure Blue Badges are processed more effectively.
Career before politics
For 9 years Armstrong was the Northern Ireland Director of Community Transport Association (CTA), delivering transport solutions for older people and people with disabilities through community led initiatives.
Armstrong gave legal and technical advice to organisations and government on transport legislation and passenger transport operation.
Armstrong provided business development and governance advice for over 150 community organisations to enable better delivery of accessible transport services.
Personal life
Armstrong is married and has one daughter who attends integrated education. She lives on a wildlife reserve on the Ards Peninsula.
References
- ↑ "One in four newly-elected MLAs female". u.tv. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
| Northern Ireland Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kieran McCarthy |
MLA for Strangford 2016–present |
Incumbent |