Westminster elections – Sinn Féin defends mandate to oppose austerity

THE UNIONIST PACT between the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party for the Westminster general election paid off for the conservative opposition against progressive politics.

The pact succeeded in the UUP's Tom Elliott winning the Sinn Féin seat of Michelle Gildernew in Fermanagh & South Tyrone by just over 500 votes. That followed the DUP retaking its seat in East Belfast from Alliance's Naomi Long, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds holding off the Sinn Féin challenge in North Belfast by Gerry Kelly, but failing to capture the Sinn Féin seat in Newry & Armagh which was won by Mickey Brady.

A request by Sinn Féin for a recount in Fermanagh & South Tyrone was refused by officials.

Sinn Féin held its three other seats – in West Belfast (Paul Maskey), West Tyrone (Pat Doherty) and Mid Ulster (Francie Molloy).

Final results for the 18 Westminster seats saw the parties' standing as:-

* DUP on 25.7% and 8 seats;

* Sinn Féin 24.5% and 4 seats;

* SDLP 13.9% and 3 seats;

* UUP 16% and 2 seats;

* Independents/Others 11.3% and 1 seat;

* Alliance 8.6% but no seats.

Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said earlier that the coming together of the unionist parties “in an election pact on a narrow sectarian and conservative agenda is a challenge to progressive politics”.

At around 6am on Friday morning, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD paid tribute to all of Sinn Féin's candidates, their families and party activists who worked tirelessly throughout the campaign.

He added:

“I would also like to thank the tens of thousands who came out to support Sinn Féin and entrust us with the mandate to oppose austerity, and build an inclusive, equal and united Ireland.

“Across constituencies, Sinn Féin consolidated and built support. In many constituencies we faced a unionist pact held together by opposition to change, opposition to equality and in support of a union that is imposing austerity.

“This was most evident in Fermanagh & South Tyrone, where all shades of unionism combined with the Tory party to unseat a republican woman.

“Given the small margin of difference, Sinn Féin asked for a recount but this was refused.

“The people of Fermanagh & South Tyrone will come together to regain this seat from the right-wing unionist alliance. It will return a MP who will represent all in the constituency and demonstrate in word and deed a commitment to equality, respect and tolerance.”

A Sinn Féin spokesperson told An Phoblacht:

“The election is over; now the work will begin with the incoming British Government.

“We are calling on all the Executive parties to unite around the common agenda of opposing against cuts to our budget, to our public services and welfare.

“Martin McGuinness has a letter ready to go to the incoming British Prime Minister to meet and to secure a workable budget and the additional powers to grow the economy.”