Want to find out more about the Northern Slant team? Every week we put 10 questions to our community of contributors – about them, their interests and hopes for Northern Ireland’s future. Today we speak to our Heather Wilson. You can follow her on Twitter .

 

Tell us about yourself, and why you got involved with Northern Slant.

I’m a 26-year-old North Belfast native, who works as a Parliamentary Advisor to the Deputy leader of the SDLP, Nichola Mallon.

After having written a few articles for different platforms, my good friend and deputy editor of Northern Slant, Jamie Pow, took me to Kaffeo on Botanic for coffee and popped the big question – would I fancy contributing, and a year and a half later, here we are.

 

Describe Northern Ireland in 5 words

A cut above the rest.

 

What makes you proud to be from here?

I could go on forever, but one thing I will always come back to, is how our people have learnt to love, forgive, reconcile, live and work together at a much faster rate than many of our political leaders.

 

Are you hopeful for the future?

In short, yes.

Northern Ireland has a strong resolve and resilience aplenty when it comes to bouncing back from political crisis. When I hear my parents talk about the ‘dark ole days’ it adds perspective about how far we have come.

 

If you could change one thing about Northern Ireland, what would it be?

Northern Irish people are a humble people, which is a lovely characteristic in and of itself. However, I think we are forever under-selling ourselves on the big stage, and I’d love to see us promote ourselves a bit better.

Axing the sectarianism would be good too.

 

Favourite NI celebrity?

Every time I’ve a beer (or two) I love a good ‘Will Griggs on fire’ chant- so although he’s not really my favourite NI celebrity, it’s my favourite celebrity affiliated song, so that’ll have to do.

 

Politician you most admire, from outside Northern Ireland

Recently I have been really impressed by Simon Conveney TD, and the strong stance he has taken on Brexit and the North. I recently met him at an event and he was really down to earth. 

 

Favourite place to bring a visitor?

Whilst I would say that both the North Coast and the Ards Peninsula are worth a visit, I love nothing more than giving people a bespoke tour of Belfast myself; peace walls, murals, stories and hidden gems. I’ve a great knowledge of Belfast and local history, so I really do enjoy when I get the chance to do this.

 

Potato bread or soda bread?

You can keep them both- Hash Browns forever.

 

Snow Patrol or Van Morrison?

Snow Patrol. Hoping their new album brings them back to Ward Park sometime in the not too distant future.

Just for the record, ‘Chocolate’ is my favourite Snow Patrol record.