THE 2024 UK general election in the North of Ireland will go down in history as a further indicator to the seismic changes that are taking place across the political landscape, with Sinn Féin now becoming the largest party from the Six Counties at Westminster, at a time when the party is already the largest at Stormont and local government.
It was an election where the party’s vote increased by over four per cent at the same time as the DUP's vote collapsed and the unionist party lost three MPs and came very close to losing two others.
What a fantastic election result!
Sinn Féin is now the largest party in the north - in Local government, in the Assembly and in Westminster.
We will continue to work hard, to lead positive change all across Ireland and to build a better future for workers and families. pic.twitter.com/RZciBhtuKJ
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) July 5, 2024
With early speculation that former nursing chief Pat Cullen was under pressure and looked to be coming in second best in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, she eventually romped home with a 4,000 vote majority. This helped Sinn Féin to retain the seven seats that they were defending at a time when the DUP were fighting a rear-guard action against Alliance, UUP, TUV and Sinn Féin.
DUP party leader Gavin Robinson successfully defended his East Belfast seat against Alliance leader Naomi Long, but in South Antrim the party lost one seat to UUP’s Robin Swann, in Lagan Valley to Alliance’s Sorcha Eastwood, and then in North Antrim where Ian Paisley fell to the one-man band that is the TUV’s Jim Allister. In East Antrim and East Derry, veteran DUPers Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell held on with the skin of their teeth with diminished majorities, finally giving the party five seats.
Ian Paisley still not keen to speak to media pic.twitter.com/zoojBl9el1
— Una Kelly (@UnaKelly3) July 5, 2024
For the SDLP they will be happy to have held on to their two seats in Foyle and the new Belfast South and Mid Down seat.
It was a night of political earthquakes that has changed the face of local politics.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald was quick to pounce on the changed electoral map.
“The message of the people of the north of Ireland to the British government tonight is that change is happening, it is time to plan, it is time to prepare for a new future together on this island. The people have spoken.”
“This is extraordinary, we haven’t really talked much about the strength of Sinn Féin’s performance tonight - it’s been very strong.” - @JonTonge pic.twitter.com/xbKs40cGhP
— Joe Dwyer (@JoeEDwyer) July 5, 2024
She added: “From day one, we will be knocking on the door of the British government to demand that they stop their disgraceful underfunding of our public services and of the Executive here.
“It is now time to move forward to a new and better future.”
