Thomas is from a working-class community in Kilrea, County Derry, Northern Ireland. Derry has high levels of poverty and deprivation and still suffers from the wounds of the past. Like many families there, his was directly affected, with relatives murdered and interned during the Troubles. Thomas studied law with politics at Queen’s University Belfast and has worked across law, investment banking, peacebuilding and social entrepreneurship. Thomas is also a political activist and longstanding volunteer. Recently, he spent three years in Colombia, working with victims of the armed conflict. There, he collaborated with Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’s Compaz Foundation to educate Colombians about the Northern Irish peace process. Thomas also supported the development of a peace centre in Cauca and worked alongside Indigenous communities affected by violence, displacement and poverty. His experiences in Derry and Colombia shaped his belief that public policy should improve the lives of working people. Thomas’ main policy interests are reducing poverty, addressing the cost of living, ending segregated education and improving local government finances. He wants to use the MPP to help build a fairer, more prosperous future for Derry and Northern Ireland.