DUP strengthen as anti-austerity MLAs elected in Nationalist strongholds, a sign?

Recent Northern Ireland elections saw the DUP remain as the largest party with 38 seats, while the Unionist parties remained stable in numbers, nationalists Sinn Fein and SDLP lost three seats in strongholds to Green and the People Before Profit movement. Does this reveal a potential shift that nationalist parties are moving away from voting tribal, was the DUPs "vote us, or you'll get a Sinn Fein First Minister" message a success?

While as a whole, votes were fairly uniform, turnout remained low, and the socially conservative DUP, despite much student criticism, remained popular, has unionist support for the DUP indicated a satisfaction with their governing, or is it a sign of their resentment of Sinn Fein?

Does the nationalist shift show that, although minor, the nationalist voters are shifting from tribal lines, or is this a sign of dissatisfaction with Sinn Fein (Gerry Adams perhaps?) or SDLP conservatism?

I welcome the growth of the anti-establishment parties, but as a nationalist I find the resounding support for the DUP deeply concerning.

Thoughts?

To my fellow NI correspondents

DmcGovern

MSG

Airmed

MSG

adam9317

MSG

Reply 1

GaelicBolshevik

18

It's a load of *******s - the unionists vote for the DUP because they're afraid of Sinn Féin and any sign of social progression. The left tends to have a diverse range of views and so a large number of parties: the right and unionists have a small number of parties because they're far more tribal in voting.

And a considerable number are stupid.

See the fleggers.

Reply 2

adam9317

15

I honestly thought we would see some Unionist voters moving away from the DUP, having been angered in the last few years, and I would have expected them to move towards the UUP or TUV, we did see some of that in the Lagan Valley Constituency where the UUP took a seat from the DUP.

On the nationalist side, very interesting with PBP, and how they have emerged- interesting to see what their impact upon the chamber will be!

Reply 3

GaelicBolshevik

18

Original post by adam9317

I honestly thought we would see some Unionist voters moving away from the DUP, having been angered in the last few years, and I would have expected them to move towards the UUP or TUV, we did see some of that in the Lagan Valley Constituency where the UUP took a seat from the DUP.

On the nationalist side, very interesting with PBP, and how they have emerged- interesting to see what their impact upon the chamber will be!

They're democratic socialist Trotskyists so should be interesting... :colone:

Good to see two Sinn Féin MLAs in the F&ST constituency :tongue:

Reply 4

That Bearded Man

OP

22

Interesting that UKIP went for "The one party dedicated to keeping Northern Ireland a member of the UK" instead of "leaving the EU" - aren't we Eurosceptic enough?

Reply 5

Airmed

21

I have Eammon McCann representing me in Foyle. :cry2:

My poor cousin was sacrificed for him.

Reply 6

GaelicBolshevik

18

Original post by Airmed

I have Eammon McCann representing me in Foyle. :cry2:

My poor cousin was sacrificed for him.

Sure I've got this UUP bastard Elliot as the Fermanagh MP - and he only won by 500ish votes!
And Arlene ****in Foster as the first preference MLA - she's worse than Robinson :angry:

Reply 7

That Bearded Man

OP

22

Boji just slipped in as our 6th constituent

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 8

Rakas21

21

I suspect it's hard to get any kind of grasp on the true level of support for DUP and Sinn Fein policy given the Good Friday Agreement.

Reply 9

That Bearded Man

OP

22

I'm obviously biased, but considering how the SDLP have been such a let down, I imagine the nationalist vote is fairly reflective.

Unionism is alot more tribal and hopefully the UUP opposition will take away from the DUP vote. Hard to see where Alliance make their mark now and the UUP will probably keep up the extremist vote.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 10

Airmed

21

Original post by That Bearded Man

I'm obviously biased, but considering how the SDLP have been such a let down, I imagine the nationalist vote is fairly reflective.

Unionism is alot more tribal and hopefully the UUP opposition will take away from the DUP vote. Hard to see where Alliance make their mark now and the UUP will probably keep up the extremist vote.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Nationalists are fed up. It seems like the unionists get the better deal because their parties don't give in.

DUP strengthen as anti-austerity MLAs elected in Nationalist strongholds, a sign?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you