Paul Maskey was first elected as the MP for Belfast West in 2011, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 14,672.
The constituency of Belfast West is the most nationalist of the Belfast seats. It is a working class constituency which includes the Falls Road and Belfast’s ‘peace line’. Although this seat was gained by the SDLP between 1992 and 1997, it has otherwise supported Sinn Fein at every General Election since 1983 and normally by substantial majorities. Until 2011 it was held by the Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams.
Like other Sinn Fein MPs, Maskey has never taken up his seat at Westminster.
Paul Maskey was a Sinn Fein member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast West from 2007 to 2012. He has also sat on Belfast city Council between 2001 and 2009, and was leader of the Council between 2005 and 2007.
Born in 1967, Maskey is married with two children. In the past has worked as a tourism development co-ordinator for the agency Welcome to West Belfast.
His brother, who was interned in the troubles, represents this constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly and in 2020 became the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Email: paul.maskey.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: https://paulmaskey.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @PaulMaskeyMP
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sfpaulmaskeymp
