Cara Hunter

Cara Hunter is a 28-year-old politician based in the North of Ireland. With a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, in 2020, she became the youngest female Member of the Northern Irish Legislative Assembly in the history of the Social Democratic & Labour Party.

In her time as an elected representative, she’s prioritized policies on mental health, combating violence against women, and addressing addiction. She’s lobbied and secured £1 million funding for Northern Ireland’s rape counseling service, had successful motions on banning LGBTQ+ conversion therapy, and a successful motion demanding a strategy to end violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. Serving on committees for Environment and Health, she has advocated for sustainable practices and constituent well-being. She also contributed to various boards supporting mental health, LGBT rights, and refugee needs. Currently, she is a member of the Education Committee and hold roles in various All-Party Groups, showcasing her commitment to fostering positive change and addressing societal issues in Northern Ireland where inequalities still exist.

She is dedicated to advancing democracy, peacemaking, and reconciliation efforts, aiming to promote inclusivity and progress in Northern Ireland’s political landscape. She uses every opportunity to foster a sense of unity and understanding among her diverse communities and identities and strives to put an end to the high levels of poverty in the post-conflict society.

In previous roles, Cara was a Councilor and Deputy Mayor at the age of twenty-three for the historic city and district of Derry City and Strabane Council. She did significant work around safeguarding women in politics and promoting youth voices and activism. Her purpose in politics is to create a reconciled Northern Ireland focusing on ending division, celebrating difference and diversity, ending high levels of poverty, high suicide rates and creating a more accessible mental health support service.