Jim Shannon was first elected as DUP MP for Strangford in 2015, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 7,071.
The constituency of Strangford is found on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland to the south east of Belfast. It includes the towns of Newtonards and Comber, but rather confusingly excludes the town of Strangford itself. This is a strongly Unionist part of Northern Ireland which the DUP gained from the UUP back in 2001. In recent years the cross community Alliance Party have been building up a base of support in this area, achieving a swing of 14% from the DUP in 2019.
Shannon served in the Northern Ireland Assembly between 1998 and 2010.
Jim Shannon was elected to Ards Borough Council in 1985, becoming Mayor in 1991.
Born in 1955, Jim Shannon was educated at Ballywalter Primary School. He is a former soldier having served with the Royal Artillery and the Ulster Defence Regiment.
Jim Shannon is a member of the Baptist Church in Newtownards, and a member of the Ulster Farmers Union.
In early 2022, Jim Shannon broke down in tears in the House of Commons when describing how his mother in law had died alone during the covid pandemic. He is one of a number of MPs who is subject to Russian sanctions.
Shannon was a supporter of Brexit in the 2016 EU referendum, and has also been opposed to inclusive LGBT sex education in schools.
In the past his Parliamentary expense claims have also come under scrutiny, with his claims in the past having being amongst the highest of any MP.
In 2011, Shannon was voted the ‘least sexy MP’ on a website designed by Francis Boulle, the star of reality television series Made in Chelsea, and which showed people various MPs pictures.
Jim Shannon is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Eggs, Pigs, and Poultry; Healthy Homes and Buildings; International Freedom of Religion or Belief; Pakistani Minorities; Pancreatic Cancer; Respiratory Health; Veterans. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Cleaning and Hygiene; Coastal Communities; Dairy; Disability; Equitable Life Policy Holders; Eye Health and Visual Impairment; Farming; Health in all Policies; Heart Valve Disease; Marine Energy; Muscular Dystrophy; Obesity; Pigeon Racing; Professional Sales; Pro-Life; Terminal Illness; and the Wood Panel Industry.
Email: jim.shannon.mp@parliament.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jim2win
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Shannon-MP/477928115581090
