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Polls close in NI as general election vote counting begins

Last time out in 2019, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) won the most seats in Northern Ireland – eight – while Sinn Féin won seven.

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) got two and the Alliance Party won one.

Some of the major battlegrounds to look out for as the votes come in include:

  • Belfast East: DUP leader Gavin Robinson hopes to retain his seat from Alliance leader Naomi Long

  • Lagan Valley: The constituency of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who stepped down after being charged with historical sex offences, will have a new MP – most likely the DUP’s Jonathan Buckley or Alliance’s Sorcha Eastwood, with Ulster Unonist Party (UUP) candidate Robbie Butler also hoping to perform strongly

  • South Antrim: DUP’s Paul Girvan could come under pressure from former Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann of the UUP

  • Fermanagh and South Tyrone: The UK’s most marginal seat in 2019 will also have a new MP after Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gildernew opted not to run again – most likely either former nursing union chief Pat Cullen, for Sinn Féin, or Diane Armstrong of the UUP

  • North Down: Alliance’s Stephen Farry is being challenged by independent unionist Alex Easton and famed Iraq War soldier Colonel Tim Collins, representing the UUP

Sinn Féin, which has hopes of becoming Northern Ireland’s largest Westminster party, is aiming to regain Foyle from SDLP leader Colum Eastwood.

The SDLP, meanwhile, is seeking to retain both its seat in Foyle as well as Belfast South and Mid Down

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), which has aligned itself with the Nigel Farage-led Reform UK, could be a significant factor in close races featuring the DUP, as it has been highly critical of that party’s return to power sharing in Northern Ireland.

People Before Profit, the Green Party of Northern Ireland and Aontú are also hoping to increase their vote shares as they build towards assembly and council elections in the coming years.


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