Now that the dust has settled and the bravado has quieted down.
Is the result of a by-election in a tiny section of county Down really that important? To be honest only time will really tell. But what we do know, from experience, is that by-elections can be an interesting barometer of the feelings and sentiments of people on the ground. They can either be an encouraging whisper of support, or a roar warning of difficult times ahead.
Dromore has granted us both, the fact that the Ulster Unionist’s held onto their seat did come as a massive surprise to all political pundits, there where some who fixed their gaze on the ‘new’ party of Jim Mc Allister, and his Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) stealing the seat and weakening the DUP. They did not, but they did deny the DUP victory and that was embarrassing.
Dromore was one of the areas in Lagen Valley that marched solidly behind our wee Jeffery into the arms of Papa Doc. The fact that many, 20% of the electorate in fact, voted for TUV, is significant. Also important, is that while the Ulster Unionists were able to benefit from the split, there percentage of the vote still fell, indicating that the problems that blighted their performance in previous elections remain.
But for us, the real interesting part of this election centred around the electoral ward of Ballyward where the majority of nationalists live. Ballyward is in the constituency of South Down and although the numbers are small the results were still being viewed as an indication of strength for both Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
The fact that Sinn Féin, for the first time I might add, triumphed in this area over the Stoops has unnerved the party’s already ailing membership. Although numerically a small victory, it is a victory non the less, and further prove of the continued rise in support for Sinn Féin and our strategy.
Tiocfaidh ár lá.
Dromore was one of the areas in Lagen Valley that marched solidly behind our wee Jeffery into the arms of Papa Doc. The fact that many, 20% of the electorate in fact, voted for TUV, is significant. Also important, is that while the Ulster Unionists were able to benefit from the split, there percentage of the vote still fell, indicating that the problems that blighted their performance in previous elections remain.
But for us, the real interesting part of this election centred around the electoral ward of Ballyward where the majority of nationalists live. Ballyward is in the constituency of South Down and although the numbers are small the results were still being viewed as an indication of strength for both Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
The fact that Sinn Féin, for the first time I might add, triumphed in this area over the Stoops has unnerved the party’s already ailing membership. Although numerically a small victory, it is a victory non the less, and further prove of the continued rise in support for Sinn Féin and our strategy.
Tiocfaidh ár lá.
1 comment:
Great article - we're on the one road....
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