THERE was a somewhat poignant moment shortly after the culmination of the East Belfast declaration.
Away from the euphoric DUP crowd, the hustle and bustle, Naomi Long and her husband Michael slipped, almost unnoticed, out the exit of the King's Hall Pavilions.
The couple stood outside in the early morning drizzle for a short period, contemplating losing the seat to the DUP, losing to a pact.
Ms Long's share of the vote actually increased compared to 2010, but Gavin Robinson with no other unionist candidate standing in his way, eased to victory.
The DUP's share improved by a substantial 16.5 per cent, and it was clear from early tallies that Mr Robinson was going to win.
However it has emerged that the combined unionist tally has fallen to under 50 per cent for the first time in the constituency's 130 year history.
In an acceptance speech that opponents observed as "ungracious", Mr Robinson said he was "delighted that the last five `Long' years are over". He then borrowed the `forward, backward' slogan prominent on much of the Alliance Party's election posters and literature.
"I'm delighted that a new day has dawned in East Belfast. When people were offered the choice as to whether they wished to go forward or back, they chose forward and they chose forward with somebody they can trust," Mr Robinson said.
"When people in East Belfast were asked to vote for a shared future, they chose to share that future with somebody they can trust rather than back a party that are only interested in offering a future if we share their view."
The new MP then poked fun at Alliance's "mountains of campaign literature", the party having posted about six leaflets through doors to the DUP's one.
Even on the morning of polling day itself, Alliance leaflets were posted, while Belfast councillor Mr Long was knocking doors seeking support for his wife just four hours before polls closed.
Ms Long said it had been a privilege to serve as MP and paid tribute to her campaigners who helped the party increase its vote by more than 4,000.
"We polled the best vote Alliance has ever polled. We have a good base, a foundation to build on for next year for the assembly elections and I want to thank my colleagues for building that base with me," she said.
Name Party Vote % +/-
Gavin Robinson DUP 19,575 49.3 +16.5
Naomi Long Alliance 16,978 42.8 +5.6
Neil Wilson Con 1,121 2.8 -18.4
Ross Brown Green 1,058 2.7 n/a
Niall O Donnghaile SF 823 2.1 -0.3
Mary Muldoon SDLP 127 0.3 -0.7
Majority: 2,597 Turnout: 62.8%
