Sinn Fein makes history as it tops poll in former Paisley stronghold
Posted By: March 04, 2017
Connla Young.Irish News. Belfast. Saturday, March 4, 2017
SINN Féin made more history yesterday when it topped the poll in the former Paisley stronghold of North Antrim.
Philip McGuigan bagged 7,600 votes to put his party top of the pile in an area still dominated by the DUP.
With Mr. McGuigan later securing election, attention turned to the unionist battle for the remaining four seats.
Although no-one managed to reach the 8,280 quota, the DUP showed well with Paul Frew leading the charge on 6,975.
Former Stormont minister Mervyn Storey was close behind on 6,857, while Philip Logan also secured 5,708 first preferences.
After the first count, TUV leader Jim Allister was on 6,214 while the UUP’s Robin Swann had 6,022.
Mr. Storey predicted last night that party colleague Mr. Logan may lose out in the scrap for the last seat.
He added that despite Sinn Féin topping the poll, his party remained the largest in the area.
Mr. McGuigan’s success came after a tumultuous year for his party in North Antrim after former MLA Daithí McKay was suspended amid allegations he coached loyalist blogger Jamie before appearing at a Stormont committee appearance.
Mr. McKay later resigned from the party along with some other members and one, former councilor Monica Digney, stood against Sinn Féin as an independent, polling 435 votes.
Mr. McGuigan said he was delighted with his party’s performance.
“It’s a tremendous result; it’s historic in North Antrim, Sinn Féin topping the poll in what would be considered a DUP heartland,” he said.
“This was a big election. The issues at stake were big issues. The people of North Antrim understood all of that.”
He said his party ran a positive campaign and is now “stronger now than it has ever been.”
“This election was about corruption, the arrogance of the DUP about dealing with equality issues,” he said.
“The people of North Antrim understand those because of the historic nature of the North Antrim constituency and because of the historic nature of the councils within the constituency.”
The SDLP’s Connor Duncan, meanwhile, was content with his party’s showing after he polled 3,519 votes.
“We have increased our vote, and our long-term plan is to continue growing,” he said.
“We will be taking the figures we have and working that forward.”
SINN Féin made more history yesterday when it topped the poll in the former Paisley stronghold of North Antrim.
Philip McGuigan bagged 7,600 votes to put his party top of the pile in an area still dominated by the DUP.
With Mr. McGuigan later securing election, attention turned to the unionist battle for the remaining four seats.
Although no-one managed to reach the 8,280 quota, the DUP showed well with Paul Frew leading the charge on 6,975.
Former Stormont minister Mervyn Storey was close behind on 6,857, while Philip Logan also secured 5,708 first preferences.
After the first count, TUV leader Jim Allister was on 6,214 while the UUP’s Robin Swann had 6,022.
Mr. Storey predicted last night that party colleague Mr. Logan may lose out in the scrap for the last seat.
He added that despite Sinn Féin topping the poll, his party remained the largest in the area.
Mr. McGuigan’s success came after a tumultuous year for his party in North Antrim after former MLA Daithí McKay was suspended amid allegations he coached loyalist blogger Jamie before appearing at a Stormont committee appearance.
Mr. McKay later resigned from the party along with some other members and one, former councilor Monica Digney, stood against Sinn Féin as an independent, polling 435 votes.
Mr. McGuigan said he was delighted with his party’s performance.
“It’s a tremendous result; it’s historic in North Antrim, Sinn Féin topping the poll in what would be considered a DUP heartland,” he said.
“This was a big election. The issues at stake were big issues. The people of North Antrim understood all of that.”
He said his party ran a positive campaign and is now “stronger now than it has ever been.”
“This election was about corruption, the arrogance of the DUP about dealing with equality issues,” he said.
“The people of North Antrim understand those because of the historic nature of the North Antrim constituency and because of the historic nature of the councils within the constituency.”
The SDLP’s Connor Duncan, meanwhile, was content with his party’s showing after he polled 3,519 votes.
“We have increased our vote, and our long-term plan is to continue growing,” he said.
“We will be taking the figures we have and working that forward.”
