NI voting results

[Maeve]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0506/nielection.html

Three results have been declared in the Northern Ireland election.

In the latest declaration, DUP leader Ian Paisley has been elected in the North Antrim constituency with 25,156 votes.

The Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, retained his seat in Belfast West. Mr Adams polled more than 24,000 votes, securing a majority of 19,000.
In the Belfast South constituency, the SDLP's Alasdair McDonnell has been declared the winner with 10,339 votes. The DUP's Jimmy Spratt was second with 9,104 votes.

Mr McDonnell said the vote showed that tribal politics was not the only way forward in Northern Ireland.

Counting of votes in other constituencies is continuing; all should be concluded by late evening.

[Maeve]

1. Update (same URL as previously)

Eight of the 18 Westminster seats in Northern Ireland have been filled.

The DUP has already secured five seats, with Sinn Féin taking two and the SDLP winning one.
(note--the SDLP seat was taken from UUP)

Two more on update:
Ten of the 18 Westminster seats in Northern Ireland have been filled.

The DUP has already secured five seats, with Sinn Féin taking three, and the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists taking one each.

[Maeve]

2. Trimble lost (same URL)

The major upset so far has been the defeat of Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble in Upper Bann. David Simpson took the seat for the DUP by a margin of more than 5,000 votes.

[Maeve]

3. 16 of 18 decided

Current status--DUP-9, SF-4, SDLP-2, UUP-1

[Maeve]

6. Final count

The DUP has secured nine seats, with Sinn Féin taking five, the SDLP three and the Ulster Unionists one.

[CBHagman]

4. I'm concerned about what this might mean.

The Guardian coverage of the Northern Irish results suggested that the middle had collapsed. Will this mean stalemate? Renewed violence? :scared:

[Maeve]

5. Could mean simply "ball in Paisley's court"

What will he do and will Ahern and Blair let him? :shrug:

I'm waiting to seen what the IRA decides. I hope they disband and take that club away from the DUP. Interesting times....(yeah, the old curse!)

[two gun sid]

7. The DUP will have to deliver...

more obstructionism for it's constituents. In my opinion nothing will change although, PIRA could be a wild card if they disband.


The solution to The Troubles lies in the changing demographics of NI. I only hope the killing does not start again.

[DaveinMD]

8. the real way to look at this

10 unionist seats to 8 nationalists. The Demographics will change NI eventually.