West Belfast poll-topper Gerry Carroll has said he will forge alliances at Stormont with anybody who "rejects austerity and embraces progressive politics".
The People Before Profit MLA, who has served as a councillor in Belfast for the past two years, polled 8,299 first preference votes – a 22.9 per cent share and more than 3,500 votes ahead of his nearest rival.
His victory in the republican heartland of West Belfast will be viewed as a psychological blow to Sinn Féin, which has dominated politics in the constituency for two decades. Sinn Féin last night looked likely to emerge with four seats in West Belfast, one less than in the last mandate.
Mr Carroll (28) was widely expected to gain a Stormont seat following his performance in last year's Westminster election, though his margin of victory surprised many observers.
Speaking to The Irish News last night, the People Before Profit MLA put his performance at the polls down to "hard work on the ground".
"I would also cite people's desire to see a different kind of politics because they are fed up with deprivation and poverty," he said.
"West Belfast is the most deprived constituency in Northern Ireland and has been dominated by Sinn Féin and the SDLP but people clearly want change."
Mr Carroll also attributed his victory to a global surge in support for socialism.
"A big element of the rise of People Before Profit has been increased international support for socialist politics, as demonstrated by Jeremy Corbyn in Britain and Bernie Sanders in America," he said.
Looking forward to taking a seat in the so-called 'naughty corner' in the assembly chamber where independent members sit, Mr Carroll said he would be campaigning against the proposed reduction in corporation tax and other elements of last year's Fresh Start agreement.
"I will be supporting anybody who rejects austerity and embraces progressive politics," he said.
Mr Carroll said his party had no regrets about not running a second candidate despite emerging with a surplus of more than 3,000 votes. He said he would be resigning from Belfast City Council but the party had yet to decide who his replacement would be.
