Northern Ireland local and European Elections

everdead.ie

A thread to track the elections being held today.
Three seats for Europe Sinn Fein expected to come out ot on top then the DUP but third seats up for grabs.

Locally the current 26 local councils are being transformed into 11 councils with less councillors.

A bit of talk of the smaller unionist parties gathering a bit of steam after a lacklustre performance by the main Unionist parties recently.

guttenberg

Very lacklustre election IMO, none of the council candidates(or even a representative of same) came to my door, most simply paid Royal Mail to deliver their literature. I have already voted and to be honest, the "canvassers" that stood at the polling station gate seemed like they didn't want to be there, none even attempted to engage me.
I wouldn't be surprised if turnout is down than last time, considering the Unionist parties have been at each others throats for the last few years, now they are telling people to transfer to each other? Alliance/NI21 seem to spend more time attacking each other than offer "fresh politics", SDLP are in turmoil in Derry and Strabane, and SF, being well, SF. Is it really worthwhile voting?

everdead.ie

Voter apathy is a big thing at the moment I wonder will dup and uup eventually merge?

Tramps Like Us

Interesting to see how NI21 fare... wouldn't have done great anyway but they are in the midst of an amusing implosion

everdead.ie

Tina Mckenzie has quit the NI21 party after "dirty tricks"

Tina McKenzie ‏@Tina4Europe 23m If elected I will stand but will not work for people who play dirty tricks and dirty politics.

Tramps Like Us

She's one to complain, she knew about the allegations against Basil McCrea from day one

everdead.ie

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

She's one to complain, she knew about the allegations against Basil McCrea from day one

I was looking around but what exactly were the accusations?

Tramps Like Us

Sexual harassment, unwanted sexual advances, Emotional Bullying, Verbal and Non-Verbal Harassment, Continuous Inappropriate Behaviour etc

Happyman42

guttenberg wrote: »

Very lacklustre election IMO, none of the council candidates(or even a representative of same) came to my door, most simply paid Royal Mail to deliver their literature. I have already voted and to be honest, the "canvassers" that stood at the polling station gate seemed like they didn't want to be there, none even attempted to engage me.
I wouldn't be surprised if turnout is down than last time, considering the Unionist parties have been at each others throats for the last few years, now they are telling people to transfer to each other? Alliance/NI21 seem to spend more time attacking each other than offer "fresh politics", SDLP are in turmoil in Derry and Strabane, and SF, being well, SF. Is it really worthwhile voting?

I thought it was illegal for them to engage (they are there in a monitoring capacity alone) within a certain distance of the polling station?

Maybe I am wrong, can anyone clarify?

guttenberg

I'm not sure but every big polling station I've ever passed had canvassers crowding the main entrance handing out flyers, come to think of it, at the last election as I was walking down the corridor inside the station, an elected candidate walking the other way said "please vote for me" to me passing. There's quite a few aspects of how NI elections are carried out that seems shady to me if I'm honest.

Happyman42

Seems it is illegal under our electoral act,

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/election-hopefuls-poster-too-close-to-polling-station-413700.html

Not sure if it is the same in NI.

everdead.ie

Thought this was intresting

Louise Cullen
BBC NI News email In Erne West, UUP Alex Baird's surplus helps Brendan Gallagher SDLP inch closer to quota (now at 1014.39, quota is 1154). Bernice Swift's surplus is now being transferred

So Sinn Féin getting transfers from UUP so maybe conservative nationalists or liberal Unionists transfers coming through?

guttenberg

So the SDLP look like they may be the biggest losers this election (of current electoral standing), sad to see the moderate side of Nationalism disappearing.

Happyman42

guttenberg wrote: »

So the SDLP look like they may be the biggest losers this election (of current electoral standing), sad to see the moderate side of Nationalism disappearing.

If they are no longer relevant then that is what happens.

guttenberg

Happyman42 wrote: »

If they are no longer relevant then that is what happens.

I'm not upset at the potential downfall of SDLP per se, it's just that with increase votes for the "extremes" of SF, DUP and TUV etc. and Derry likely to elect a dissident republican, are both sides of NI more likely to find common ground now, or is it more stalemate?

Happyman42

guttenberg wrote: »

I'm not upset at the potential downfall of SDLP per se, it's just that with increase votes for the "extremes" of SF, DUP and TUV etc. and Derry likely to elect a dissident republican, are both sides of NI more likely to find common ground now, or is it more stalemate?

Hardly the 'extremes' anymore.
The SDLP have paid the price for not standing up to Unionists, too many failed 'solutions'. That's the rather harsh reality.

alastair

Happyman42 wrote: »

If they are no longer relevant then that is what happens.

If SF steals their political clothes, that's what happens. Mind you, it wasn't a great showing for SF either - down by about the same percentage vote as the SDLP.

Happyman42

alastair wrote: »

If SF steals their political clothes, that's what happens. Mind you, it wasn't a great showing for SF either - down by about the same percentage vote as the SDLP.

You don't 'own' a political philosophy. The electorate decided a long time ago who was best fit to serve them, it isn't the SDLP.

alastair

Happyman42 wrote: »

You don't 'own' a political philosophy. The electorate decided a long time ago who was best fit to serve them, it isn't the SDLP.

The electorate decided it was the SDLP for a lot longer than it was SF. And not that long ago either. Given the fall in SF support in these elections, and their problems in west Belfast and Derry, I wouldn't be so confident that the tide could turn again. SF are highly vulnerable for exactly the same reasons the SDLP were in the early 00's - too much power vested in the central leadership. At least the SDLP have a younger generation of candidates starting to roll out, while the cult of the dear leader is still a problem for SF to work past.

Happyman42

alastair wrote: »

The electorate decided it was the SDLP for a lot longer than it was SF. And not that long ago either. Given the fall in SF support in these elections, and their problems in west Belfast and Derry, I wouldn't be so confident that the tide could turn again.

I doubt they will be whingeing about others stealing their clothes and just get on with working harder or they will disappear and lose relevancy like the SDLP.
You have to respond (without arrogance) to your electorate, they don't owe you anything. Something the SDLP forgot bigtime.

alastair

Happyman42 wrote: »

I doubt they will be whingeing about others stealing their clothes and just get on with working harder or they will disappear and lose relevancy like the SDLP.
You have to respond (without arrogance) to your electorate, they don't owe you anything. Something the SDLP forgot bigtime.

I've not heard the SDLP whinging at all tbh - unlike SF, who can't seem to accept that they're losing their control of the republican vote in Derry.

Happyman42

alastair wrote: »

I've not heard the SDLP whinging at all tbh - unlike SF, who can't seem to accept that they're losing their control of the republican vote in Derry.

A quick google.

Mark Durkan:

“But what has happened is Sinn Fein, as on so many other counts, are trying to copy and borrow bits of SDLP language but they don’t actually fully understand it and don’t fully follow the logic.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/durkan-accuses-sinn-fein-68975.html

alastair

Happyman42 wrote: »

A quick google.

Mark Durkan:

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/durkan-accuses-sinn-fein-68975.html

Breaking news - twelve years ago. :pac:

Happyman42

alastair wrote: »

Breaking news - twelve years ago. :pac:

alastair wrote:

I've not heard the SDLP whinging at all tbh

:rolleyes:

alastair

Happyman42 wrote: »

:rolleyes:

I haven't heard SDLP whinging - and I have heard SF whinging about their losses to independents in Derry. Dragging up a 12 year old quote doesn't really undermine that reality. But thanks for the desperate, if antique, link.

Happyman42

alastair wrote: »

I haven't heard SDLP whinging - and I have heard SF whinging about their losses to independents in Derry. Dragging up a 12 year old quote doesn't really undermine that reality. But thanks for the desperate, if antique, link.

Says the man that mentions the clothes theft every time the SDLP are mentioned on boards. Don't make claims that a quick google can catch you out on would be my advice

Ren2k7

guttenberg wrote: »

I'm not upset at the potential downfall of SDLP per se, it's just that with increase votes for the "extremes" of SF, DUP and TUV etc. and Derry likely to elect a dissident republican, are both sides of NI more likely to find common ground now, or is it more stalemate?

You can hardly call SF extreme by any measure.

alastair

Happyman42 wrote: »

Says the man that mentions the clothes theft every time the SDLP are mentioned on boards. Don't make claims that a quick google can catch you out on would be my advice

I'm more than happy to re-iterate that SF stole the SDLP's clothes - because they did. But I'm equally happy to point out that I'm seeing no whinging out of the SDLP - who have suffered around the same loss in this election as SF, but notable petulance out of SF where they're losing out to independents - the usual guff about tarnishing them as 'dissidents' and 'threatening the peace process'. They really can't cope with anyone undermining their home patch fiefdom. Interesting to see the electoral disenchantment with them in Andytown played out in the victory of Gerry Carroll of the SWP - following his involvement in the Casement protests.

Tramps Like Us

alastair wrote: »

I've not heard the SDLP whinging at all tbh - unlike SF, who can't seem to accept that they're losing their control of the republican vote in Derry.

Except for, you know, Jim Hume (John Humes brother) going off the rails at the count center and being kicked out by the PSNI

Stoops are becoming more of a non entity at every election

alastair

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Except for, you know, Jim Hume (John Humes brother) going off the rails at the count center and being kicked out by the PSNI

Stoops are becoming more of a non entity at every election

That was a (long-standing) internal spat - hardly the same as whinging. Which the Shinners are certainly doing.

Tramps Like Us

alastair wrote: »

That was a (long-standing) internal spat - hardly the same as whinging. Which the Shinners are certainly doing.

There not whingeing, they are set to be the largest party - and they are certainly not brawling amongst themselves

alastair

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

There not whingeing, they are set to be the largest party - and they are certainly not brawling amongst themselves

True, but then look at their history. Their internal brawls have been a bit more tooled up and problematic.

Their vote is down despite everything, and the rot in their dominance in their own heartland has set in. It's more likely to be down than up from here out.

Tramps Like Us

alastair wrote: »

True, but then look at their history. Their internal brawls have been a bit more tooled up and problematic.

Their vote is down despite everything, and the rot in their dominance in their own heartland has set in. It's more likely to be down than up from here out.

haha the delusion is strong

alastair

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

haha the delusion is strong

The figures speak for themselves. As do those lost seats in Derry and W Belfast.

mcc1

Unionists have had a very good election.

alastair

mcc1 wrote: »

Unionists have had a very good election.

The TUV are obviously paralleling the UKIP upsurge. Reactionary is the new black.

Tramps Like Us

alastair wrote: »

The figures speak for themselves. As do those lost seats in Derry and W Belfast.

Its the first time ever that sf have outpolled the sdlp in Derry, they are the largest party there now.

The elections, north and south, have been very good for SF and the counting is not even done yet

everdead.ie

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Its the first time ever that sf have outpolled the sdlp in Derry, they are the largest party there now.

The elections, north and south, have been very good for SF and the counting is not even done yet

What I find really surprising is that they have more votes than the DUP but have 23 less seats st the moment which says to me they came close to a lot of extra seats but are just missing out?

As of now number of seats - total votes - percentage of votes
Democratic Unionist Party 124 144928 23.09
Sinn Féin 101 151137 24.07

Its a similar situation with the SDLP and the UUP
a 3% gap but a massive seat difference.

Ulster Unionist Party 84 101385 16.15
Social Democratic & Labour Party 63 85237 13.58

http://www.bbc.com/news/events/vote2014/ni-council-election-results

mcc1

everdead.ie wrote: »

What I find really surprising is that they have more votes than the DUP but have 23 less seats st the moment which says to me they came close to a lot of extra seats but are just missing out?

As of now number of seats - total votes - percentage of votes
Democratic Unionist Party 124 144928 23.09
Sinn Féin 101 151137 24.07

Its a similar situation with the SDLP and the UUP
a 3% gap but a massive seat difference.

Ulster Unionist Party 84 101385 16.15
Social Democratic & Labour Party 63 85237 13.58

http://www.bbc.com/news/events/vote2014/ni-council-election-results

They got more 1st preference votes but that means nothing if you don't get any transfers. Unionists will be very happy tonight. All the unionist parties transferred votes well between each other.

alastair

everdead.ie wrote: »

What I find really surprising is that they have more votes than the DUP but have 23 less seats st the moment which says to me they came close to a lot of extra seats but are just missing out?

As of now number of seats - total votes - percentage of votes
Democratic Unionist Party 124 144928 23.09
Sinn Féin 101 151137 24.07

Its a similar situation with the SDLP and the UUP
a 3% gap but a massive seat difference.

Ulster Unionist Party 84 101385 16.15
Social Democratic & Labour Party 63 85237 13.58

http://www.bbc.com/news/events/vote2014/ni-council-election-results

Rather more unionist transfers in play - that, with mixed success at vote management, accounts for the gap in seats.

mcc1

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Its the first time ever that sf have outpolled the sdlp in Derry, they are the largest party there now.

The elections, north and south, have been very good for SF and the counting is not even done yet

Everybody knew Sinn Fein were gonna outpoll the SDLP in Londonderry because of the boundary changes. Was no surprise at all.

Sinn Fein and nationalists overall had a poor election/turnout. Didn't win all the seats they expected and lost some seats they'd never have expected to lose in Belfast.

everdead.ie

Ya a funny situation regarding transfers in General Sinn féin don't get transfers in The Republic but that may change I guess they need to work on that for sure.

Ren2k7

mcc1 wrote: »

Everybody knew Sinn Fein were gonna outpoll the SDLP in Derry because of the boundary changes. Was no surprise at all.

Sinn Fein and nationalists overall had a poor election/turnout. Didn't win all the seats they expected and lost some seats they'd never have expected to lose in Belfast.

Er SF topped the poll and is poised to become the largest party in Ireland. Poor election? Lol.

alastair

Ren2k7 wrote: »

Er SF topped the poll and is poised to become the largest party in Ireland. Poor election? Lol.

SF are far from becoming the largest party in Ireland, and despite their impressive position in NI - their vote (along with the SDLP's) dropped there.

Happyman42

alastair wrote: »

SF are far from becoming the largest party in Ireland, and despite their impressive position in NI - their vote (along with the SDLP's) dropped there.

A marginal drop for a party in government, wouldn't FG and Lab love to be able to say that today.

mcc1

Happyman42 wrote: »

A marginal drop for a party in government, wouldn't FG and Lab love to be able to say that today.

This is Northern Ireland we're talking about, politics doesn't work like that here. Every election is basically a sectarian headcount, You vote for the largest Unionist party to keep the Shinners out and likewise you vote SInn Fein to keep the DUP out.

Most if not all Sinn Fein and DUP supporters would struggle to name more than 1 party policy.

Sinn Fein losing seats in Belfast for example was a shocker for them. Especially when they were lost to the likes of the Alliance party and not another Republican or nationalist candidate.

The increase in the catholic population dosent seem to be doing much good for them like they thought it would. Young Catholic voters who are better educated and qualified now are turning their backs on them.

Lastlight.

DUP and UUP should come together for General Election and unite the Unionist vote more. Hopefully the SDLP can improve in the next 12 months. The TUV did well, obviously many Ulster Protestants see them as a good option. PUP also improved. Good to see but we need to unite more for the General Election and occupy the Unionist vote in a few parties.

Happyman42

mcc1 wrote: »

This is Northern Ireland we're talking about, politics doesn't work like that here. Every election is basically a sectarian headcount, You vote for the largest Unionist party to keep the Shinners out and likewise you vote SInn Fein to keep the DUP out.

Most if not all Sinn Fein and DUP supporters would struggle to name more than 1 party policy.

Sinn Fein losing seats in Belfast for example was a shocker for them. Especially when they were lost to the likes of the Alliance party and not another Republican or nationalist candidate.

The increase in the catholic population dosent seem to be doing much good for them like they thought it would. Young Catholic voters who are better educated and qualified now are turning their backs on them.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27551178

At 24.1%, Sinn Féin emerged with the biggest share of the vote despite the DUP winning more seats.

The DUP has dipped from a 27% share in 2011 to 23%.

The SDLP is down from 15% to around 13.5% percent.

On the nationalist side, Sinn Féin has dropped by about 0.5%, remaining steady at around 24%.

Sinn Féin has not suffered a seat loss in Derry due to the election of Mr Donnelly. That was at the SDLP's expense,

Rumours of SF's demise are greatly exaggerated methinks.

Tramps Like Us

Happyman42 wrote: »

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27551178









Rumours of SF's demise are greatly exaggerated methinks.

lol the spin from the usual suspects is pretty funny, they are desperate for SF to crash and burn and it has not happened.

Lingua Franca

It is desperate wishful thinking. SF could win every single seat they stand for and certain types would be still crowing about how this marks their demise. Sinn Fein's popularity has been on an upward trajectory for a long time. Likewise, the SDLP vote has steadily dropping for years. Claiming anything else is a pretence.

Happyman42

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

lol the spin from the usual suspects is pretty funny, they are desperate for SF to crash and burn and it has not happened.

The BBC can't even spin it, as the facts speak for themselves. Doesn't stop our boys on here though.