Órfhlaith Begley is the Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone. She was first elected at a by-election in May 2018, succeeding party colleague Barry McElduff who had resigned.

In the 2024 general election for West Tyrone, Órfhlaith Begley received 22,711 votes, representing 52.0% of the vote share. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) candidate, Tom Buchanan, received 6,794 votes (15.5%), while the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) candidate, Daniel McCrossan, secured 5,821 votes (13.3%). Begley was duly elected with a majority of 15,917 votes.

The West Tyrone constituency is located in Northern Ireland, bordering the Republic of Ireland. It includes the main towns of Omagh and Strabane. The constituency has a majority nationalist population and has been represented by Sinn Féin since 2001, though unionist candidates have won previously when pacts were formed.

Political Career

In line with Sinn Féin’s longstanding policy of abstentionism, Begley does not take her seat in the House of Commons. Sinn Féin MPs focus on constituency work and activity within Ireland.

In the foreword to Sinn Féin’s manifesto for the 2024 general election, the party’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said Sinn Féin MPs would work “hard as part of a strong all-Ireland Sinn Féin team to deliver for all our people and communities.”

The manifesto added: “We want a stronger and fairer economy that delivers good jobs that pay well, offers workers secure conditions, and supports local business.”

In a 2018 interview with agendaNi shortly after her election, Begley stated: “I want to be an MP who stands up for everyone in West Tyrone. An MP who stands up for equality and rights. An MP who will work for Irish unity and help build a modern and inclusive Ireland.”

Political Views

Begley represents Sinn Féin, an Irish republican and democratic socialist party. The party’s core policies include advocating for a united Ireland and promoting left-wing economic and social policies.

Sinn Féin’s abstentionist policy is derived from its belief that the parliament at Westminster is illegitimate, and that its authority over Ireland rests on British sovereignty which the party does not recognise. Consequently, Sinn Féin MPs refuse to take their seats in the House of Commons, as doing so would require swearing an oath of allegiance to the British monarch, which the party regards as incompatible with its republican principles.

Begley supported remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and therefore agreed with a majority of constituents, 66.8% of whom voted to remain.

In her aforementioned interview with agendaNi, Begley commented on what drew her to Sinn Féin. She said: “Sinn Féin is the only party with the vision, the strategy and the ability to create a new Ireland based on genuine equality and fairness for all citizens. I want to be part of making that happen and when you look at the growth of the party right across Ireland in recent years, it is clear that more and more people endorse what we are working towards.”

She added: “The calibre of those involved in the party was also an important factor for me. It is inspiring to be part of a party that has so many people who have dedicated their lives to achieving a better Ireland and have sacrificed so much in the process.”

Before Politics

Born Órfhlaith Acife Begley on 19 December 1991 in Carrickmore, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Her father, Seán Begley, is a former Sinn Féin councillor who served as Chairman of Omagh District Council.

She studied law with politics at Queen’s University Belfast, followed by professional legal studies at the Institute of Professional and Legal Studies at the same university, qualifying as a solicitor.

Before her election, Begley worked as a solicitor in Portadown, County Armagh, practising in civil and criminal law with a focus on cases involving potential miscarriages of justice. She has been actively involved in Sinn Féin for many years.

Personal Life

Begley married Conor Carson in December 2022. They have one daughter.

Trivia

Begley was the first woman elected MP for the West Tyrone constituency.