“Be the change”: Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick shares powerful message on motherhood and politics

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, has shared a deeply personal and inspiring reflection on her journey into public life—highlighting how motherhood, adversity, and determination shaped her path to becoming the borough’s first-ever female Mayor.

Addressing an audience under the theme “Mayor, Mother and Unionist,” Councillor Kirkpatrick spoke candidly about the challenges she has faced, the realities of being a working parent in politics, and her mission to create a more inclusive and accessible society.

“For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Leah Kirkpatrick. I’m 33 years old, recently married, and a proud mum to two beautiful girls, aged 12 and 10,” she began.

“I first stood for election in 2019 with no real expectation of being elected – yet here I am, now in my second term representing the Antrim DEA.”

A Decade of Service and Learning

Councillor Kirkpatrick has been a member of the Ulster Unionist Party for around ten years, six of which she has spent as an elected representative. Before entering elected politics, she worked in several constituency offices, gaining vital experience supporting figures such as Adrian Watson MLA, Danny Kinahan MP, Steve Aiken MLA, and Robin Swann MP.

“I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge over those years and the guidance and support that I have been given has been wonderful,” she said.

Her elevation to Deputy Mayor in 2022–23 paved the way for her current position as the first woman to hold the office of Mayor in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council—a milestone she describes as both humbling and historically significant.

“I Never Planned a Career in Politics”

Despite her current role, Councillor Kirkpatrick admitted politics was never part of her plan.

“I spent years working behind the scenes for politicians, always thinking, ‘That world just isn’t for me,’” she said.

“I studied Politics and Criminology at the University of Ulster, so yes – I understood political structures and theories. But what I lacked back then was the confidence and self-belief to stand up and say, ‘I belong in this space too.’”

That confidence, she explained, came not from politics, but from motherhood.

Motherhood and Adversity

Kirkpatrick’s first daughter, Eva, was born when she was just 20 years old and still studying at university. Early on, Eva was diagnosed with severe autism, ADHD, and complex learning difficulties—a life-changing moment that profoundly shaped her mother’s worldview.

“By the age of two, Eva was diagnosed with severe autism and learning difficulties. Later came a diagnosis of ADHD and other complex behavioural needs,” she shared.

“Today, Eva is almost 13. She’s non-verbal and will never be able to live independently – but she is the strongest person I know.”

Balancing studies, part-time work, and caring responsibilities at such a young age gave her a resilience that no degree could provide.

“When I look back, it wasn’t my politics degree that prepared me for this role – it was life,” she said.

“My life experience is what fuels my passion and purpose in politics today.”

A Call for More Women in Public Life

Councillor Kirkpatrick used her platform to make a heartfelt appeal for greater female representation in politics, particularly from mothers and working-class backgrounds.

“Why aren’t more women like me stepping into public life?” she asked. “It’s a serious question we need to keep asking. Why are so many capable women watching from the side-lines, believing politics isn’t a space for them?”

She pointed to ongoing misogyny and systemic barriers that make it difficult for women—especially mothers—to engage fully in public life.

“After I was elected, one of the very first comments I received was, ‘She only got in because she’s young and blonde.’

“I still see comments about my hair, how I dress – things that have nothing to do with my work, my ability or my impact.”

“Society still expects mothers to work like they don’t have children, and parent like they don’t have a job,” she added.

“Meetings and events are often scheduled in ways that are completely unrealistic for working parents.”

Her message was clear: the structures of political life must evolve to be more inclusive.

“I soon realised that I didn’t need to change who I was – I needed to be the change,” she said. “Someone like me had to step into this role, because if not now, then when would that change ever come?”

Championing Accessibility and Inclusion

As Mayor, Councillor Kirkpatrick has placed a strong emphasis on accessibility, inclusivity, and community growth, drawing from her own experiences as a parent of a child with additional needs.

“I am determined to use my platform to champion accessibility, to shine a light on the challenges faced by those with disabilities and their families, and to do all I can to make life that little bit easier for them,” she said.

Her chosen charities for her mayoral year reflect this commitment:

• The British Deaf Association

• The MacMillan Unit, Antrim Area Hospital

• All About Us – ASD Teens Antrim

“These three charities hold a special place in my heart and do incredible work that positively impacts countless lives,” she added.

Working-Class Roots and Local Pride

Proud of her working-class upbringing, Councillor Kirkpatrick said her background keeps her grounded and connected to the realities facing families across South Antrim.

“I come from a working-class background, and I’m incredibly proud of that,” she said.

“Alongside my fellow representatives in South Antrim, we’re making a meaningful impact at the grassroots level – particularly since the election of Robin Swann as our local MP, whose track record to date has been outstanding.”

She also stressed the importance of engaging young people, particularly young women, in political life.

“We need to focus on engaging young people, especially young women, and encouraging them to get involved. It’s vital that they know they matter, they are the future, and their voices and contributions are essential to shaping it.”

A Message of Empowerment

Closing her speech, Mayor Kirkpatrick delivered a powerful message of encouragement to young women across Northern Ireland:

“To every young female who may hear me today, worry less about fitting into glass slippers – and more about shattering glass ceilings,” she said.

“You are capable, you are valued and you are so, so badly needed.”

Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick’s message is one of resilience, authenticity, and change. Her story—rooted in motherhood, working-class experience, and community service—offers a powerful reminder that representation matters, and that politics must make space for those with lived experience.

As she put it herself:

“Public life needs younger voices, female voices, working-class voices, mothers, and caregivers – people with real stories, real grit, and real passion to make things better.”