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16/05/2002
UUP victory is a vote of confidence says Empey
Senior Ulster Unionist officials were jubilant after today’s by-election victory in Antrim.
The UUP candidate Drew Ritchie topped the poll beating the strongly favoured Democratic Unionist candidate Jack McClay with the SDLP coming third.
Congratulating Drew Ritchie Sir Reg Empey, the Enterprise Trade and Investment Minister said the result was a big thumbs up for David Trimble and his “positive unionism".
“However, it is also a message to the wider political community that the Unionist voice must be heeded if Northern Ireland is to progress into a mature democracy,” he added.
“Our party have been through so much in recent years as our Province has been transformed into a better place to live. This result is a clear endorsement from the voters that UUP are a positive force to be reckoned with at a local level,” he said.
Meanwhile the Alliance’s share of vote in Antrim town has increased by two per cent.
From the results announced today the Alliance candidate Pete Whitcroft increased the party's share from 6.4 per cent last year to 8.4 per cent.
Mr Whitcroft said: “This was something of an achievement for Alliance, as many had predicted our vote would go down. Instead, we have shown that support is actually growing for non-sectarian politics in Antrim Town.”
Mr Whitcroft said the by-election result would not dent his interest in local politics.
He said: "I will continue to campaign for more play facilities for children in the town's estates, and look forward to the day when the Antrim area has its first integrated secondary school.
"I also intend to continue Alliance's ongoing work for the further development of Antrim town centre.
"I have been encouraged by this result, and it bodes well for the future. If this current trend continues, I am optimistic that Alliance will regain a Council seat in Antrim Borough at the next local election."
(AMcE)
The UUP candidate Drew Ritchie topped the poll beating the strongly favoured Democratic Unionist candidate Jack McClay with the SDLP coming third.
Congratulating Drew Ritchie Sir Reg Empey, the Enterprise Trade and Investment Minister said the result was a big thumbs up for David Trimble and his “positive unionism".
“However, it is also a message to the wider political community that the Unionist voice must be heeded if Northern Ireland is to progress into a mature democracy,” he added.
“Our party have been through so much in recent years as our Province has been transformed into a better place to live. This result is a clear endorsement from the voters that UUP are a positive force to be reckoned with at a local level,” he said.
Meanwhile the Alliance’s share of vote in Antrim town has increased by two per cent.
From the results announced today the Alliance candidate Pete Whitcroft increased the party's share from 6.4 per cent last year to 8.4 per cent.
Mr Whitcroft said: “This was something of an achievement for Alliance, as many had predicted our vote would go down. Instead, we have shown that support is actually growing for non-sectarian politics in Antrim Town.”
Mr Whitcroft said the by-election result would not dent his interest in local politics.
He said: "I will continue to campaign for more play facilities for children in the town's estates, and look forward to the day when the Antrim area has its first integrated secondary school.
"I also intend to continue Alliance's ongoing work for the further development of Antrim town centre.
"I have been encouraged by this result, and it bodes well for the future. If this current trend continues, I am optimistic that Alliance will regain a Council seat in Antrim Borough at the next local election."
(AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
