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28/05/2019
Alliance Surge Marks Change In NI Politics
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has said the surge in public support for her party demonstrates a significant change to politics in Northern Ireland.
It comes after she was elected to represent the region in the European Parliament, making history by securing a final count of 170,370 votes and taking the second MEP seat, alongside the DUP and Sinn Fein.
The battle for the final seat was expected to be a lot closer between Alliance and other candidates, including the SDLP and Ulster Unionists, however the cross-community party collected 115,000 more votes than they had received in the previous 2014 European election.
Speaking after the momentous moment she was elected, Mrs Long said: "I want to thank everyone who gave me their first preference vote, or who transferred to me – I take this seriously and I'll work hard to serve everyone in Northern Ireland.
"The past few weeks have proven that if you vote Alliance you can get Alliance. We went into this campaign with a clear message to remain with a people's vote, providing real solutions and willing to represent everyone, with people across Northern Ireland responding to that.
"The surge towards Alliance has marked a significant change to the dynamics of politics here, as for the first time in a Northern Ireland wide elected people everywhere have voted on the issues, not the orange and green division. This can only be a good thing as we move forward."
The result has shifted the balance to two pro-Remain MEPs, with 57% of first preference votes in Northern Ireland going to Remain candidates who also support the backstop.
The DUP, whose pro-Brexit candidate Diane Dodds was the first elected, saw a rise in first preference votes of 0.9%, while Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson saw a loss of 3.3% despite topping the poll.
(JG/CM)
It comes after she was elected to represent the region in the European Parliament, making history by securing a final count of 170,370 votes and taking the second MEP seat, alongside the DUP and Sinn Fein.
The battle for the final seat was expected to be a lot closer between Alliance and other candidates, including the SDLP and Ulster Unionists, however the cross-community party collected 115,000 more votes than they had received in the previous 2014 European election.
Speaking after the momentous moment she was elected, Mrs Long said: "I want to thank everyone who gave me their first preference vote, or who transferred to me – I take this seriously and I'll work hard to serve everyone in Northern Ireland.
"The past few weeks have proven that if you vote Alliance you can get Alliance. We went into this campaign with a clear message to remain with a people's vote, providing real solutions and willing to represent everyone, with people across Northern Ireland responding to that.
"The surge towards Alliance has marked a significant change to the dynamics of politics here, as for the first time in a Northern Ireland wide elected people everywhere have voted on the issues, not the orange and green division. This can only be a good thing as we move forward."
The result has shifted the balance to two pro-Remain MEPs, with 57% of first preference votes in Northern Ireland going to Remain candidates who also support the backstop.
The DUP, whose pro-Brexit candidate Diane Dodds was the first elected, saw a rise in first preference votes of 0.9%, while Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson saw a loss of 3.3% despite topping the poll.
(JG/CM)
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28 November 2003
How the political parties fared in the 2003 Assembly election
UPDATE: The results by political party for the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election are as follows: 30 - Democratic Unionist Party (1998 - 20) 27 - Ulster Unionist Party (1998 - 28) 24 - Sinn Féin (1998 - 18) 18 - Social Democratic & Labour Party (1998 - 24) 6 - Alliance Party (1998 - 6) 1 - Progressive Unionist Party (1998 - 2) 1 - UK Un
How the political parties fared in the 2003 Assembly election
UPDATE: The results by political party for the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election are as follows: 30 - Democratic Unionist Party (1998 - 20) 27 - Ulster Unionist Party (1998 - 28) 24 - Sinn Féin (1998 - 18) 18 - Social Democratic & Labour Party (1998 - 24) 6 - Alliance Party (1998 - 6) 1 - Progressive Unionist Party (1998 - 2) 1 - UK Un
06 May 2005
Counting of votes continues in Northern Ireland
With the first results expected to be announced by mid-afternoon, at around 2.15pm the first MP elected was in West Belfast. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams retained a substantial 19,315 majority over his nearest rival the SDLP's Alex Atwood who polled 5,033 in the West Belfast constituency.
Counting of votes continues in Northern Ireland
With the first results expected to be announced by mid-afternoon, at around 2.15pm the first MP elected was in West Belfast. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams retained a substantial 19,315 majority over his nearest rival the SDLP's Alex Atwood who polled 5,033 in the West Belfast constituency.
14 June 2004
DUP and SF claim two of three MEP seats
The DUP and Sinn Fein have secured the first two out of three possible MEP seats at this year's European Elections. The DUP's Jim Allister topped the poll with 175,761 first preference votes while Sinn Fein's Bairbre de Brun secured 144,541 votes.
DUP and SF claim two of three MEP seats
The DUP and Sinn Fein have secured the first two out of three possible MEP seats at this year's European Elections. The DUP's Jim Allister topped the poll with 175,761 first preference votes while Sinn Fein's Bairbre de Brun secured 144,541 votes.
03 May 2019
Early Results Filter In As Local Election Counts Continue
The Alliance and Green Parties are celebrating early successes today, Friday 03 May, as the local election counts continue. The Green Party's Aine Groogan topped the poll in Botanic but it is not yet confirmed if she will get a seat.
Early Results Filter In As Local Election Counts Continue
The Alliance and Green Parties are celebrating early successes today, Friday 03 May, as the local election counts continue. The Green Party's Aine Groogan topped the poll in Botanic but it is not yet confirmed if she will get a seat.
29 January 2019
Alliance Slam DUP's Support For Immigration Bill
An Alliance MLA has hit out at the "shameful" decision of the Democratic Unionists to offer their support to a Government Bill that ends freedom of movement after the UK leaves the EU. The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill passed by 297 votes to 234, despite a Labour u-turn on the matter.
Alliance Slam DUP's Support For Immigration Bill
An Alliance MLA has hit out at the "shameful" decision of the Democratic Unionists to offer their support to a Government Bill that ends freedom of movement after the UK leaves the EU. The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill passed by 297 votes to 234, despite a Labour u-turn on the matter.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
