WEST BELFAST BY-ELECTION | SINN FÉIN RETAINS SEAT HELD BY GERRY ADAMS

Paul Maskey elected as new Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast

Paul Maskey with some of his hard-working election team

PAUL MASKEY celebrated his 44th birthday on Thursday 9th June by being elected the new Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast and comfortably winning the seat held by Gerry Adams until his election to the Dáil in February.
Paul’s election win continues the momentum of Sinn Féin successes as a growing political force throughout the island in Westminster, Dáil, Assembly, Seanad and local elections.
The record low turn-out of 37.5% is reflected by the media message that West Belfast is one of the safest Westminster seats. That said, Paul Maskey still topped the poll with 70.63% of the vote. Attracting the support of 16,211 of the 23,057 people who did go to the polls, Paul Maskey MLA romped home more than 13,000 ahead of his nearest rival, SDLP Environment Minister Alex Attwood MLA, who trailed in with 3,088 votes.
People Before Profit Alliance’s Gerry Carroll managed 1,751 votes and the DUP’s Brian Kingston 1,393. The Ulster Unionist Party’s woes under new leader Tom Elliott continued with UUP candidate Bill Manwaring scrambling together just 386 votes. The Alliance Party’s Aaron McIntyre picked up 122.
Thanking voters who had given Sinn Féin “a ringing endorsement”, Paul Maskey had special words of praise for all the party workers “who, straight after an intensive election campaign for the Assembly and local government, came out with even more energy to canvass”.
The new Sinn Féin MP said he will strive to represent each and every constituent within West Belfast.
“I will work on the Shankill, in Andersonstown, Suffolk, the Blacks Road, in Ballymurphy, the Lower Falls and the Colin area and every other single part of this constituency.”
He said he would like to see the day when he can open an advice centre on the Shankill Road.
“It is something I think would be a great step forward. I hope the people of the Shankill would come to seek advice from me or even offer me their advice because I am believer in taking advice from people. I think it is very important to listen to people and I think it’s a mistake not to listen to people.
“This part of the city is moving forward and I will endeavour to be part of that and work tirelessly to do what I can for the people of West Belfast.
“I take on the proud and strong legacy of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD and look forward now to the challenges in front of me.”
Gerry Adams pointed to the all-Ireland importance of Sinn Féin’s progress:
“In the Assembly, local government, Dáil and Seanad elections, Sinn Féin made important gains and our ability to represent the interests and needs of our constituents, and to advance our political goals of Irish unity, equality and justice, have been significantly enhanced.
“Paul Maskey is a first-class public representative. He is also part of that new generation of party activists in the Assembly, the Dáil, as MPs and in local government.”
Gerry Adams said he has fond memories of his time as MP for West Belfast.
“It has been a great personal honour for me to represent this constituency for a very long time, to have represented the people of this community.
“They’re a brilliant, wonderful group of people and it’s a great, great honour to be in any way representing them for as long as I did, and I appreciate it very, very much.”