Northern Ireland

SDLP must listen to supporters in East Derry - Mullan

East Derry candidate Maurice Bradley is elected for East Derry. Picture Margaret McLaughlin
East Derry candidate Maurice Bradley is elected for East Derry. Picture Margaret McLaughlin East Derry candidate Maurice Bradley is elected for East Derry. Picture Margaret McLaughlin

THE SDLP says it will listen to the voice of supporters in East Derry following a substantial fall in the party vote.

New candidate, Gerry Mullan saw the party’s share of the vote fall from more than 14 percent to 9.5 percent although it still looked likely that he would hold the seat.

Thursday’s poll was also likely result in a change in personnel representing Sinn Féin as party new-comer, Caoimhe Archibald polled substantially higher than sitting assembly member, Cathal Ó hOisín.

While Ó hOisín won 3,493 first preferences, it was difficult to see where he would win transfers in a staunchly unionist constituency, leaving his position vulnerable to Archibald who recorded 4,002 first preferences.

SDLP candidate, Mullan acknowledged that his task was always going to be difficult as he was following party veteran, John Dallat. However, the former Limavady mayor admitted it had been a difficult campaign.

Mullan said: “It has been the most stressful and nerve wrecking episode of my life.”

The candidate said it was important that the party heed the lessons of the election.

“While I would not be au fait with all the outcomes yet, it is clear that a lot of SDLP voters did not turn out. It is important that we listen to them now and learn lessons from them,” he said.

The first to be elected in the constituency was former Coleraine DUP mayor, Maurice Bradley who was also following the departure of a party heavyweight. Gregory Campbell did not seek re-election, opting to focus on his work as an MP.

Bradley said the DUP had enjoyed a good day on Thursday and had increased its vote.

“I’m absolutely delighted that the electorate in east Londonderry have placed their faith in me for the next five years.”

The Coleraine man said that despite the departure of the DUP MP, he was confident the party would return three candidates after his colleague George Robinson was deemed elected.

“It’s all down to good team management and good vote management,” he said.

With counting continuing late into the night, it was expected that East Derry would return an 'as-you-where' in terms of party representation with the DUP taking three seats and the SDLP and Sinn Féin one each.

However, the final seat, currently held by Independent Unionist, Claire Sugden, was the subject of a fight with Ms Sugden likely to hold the place she inherited from David McClarty following his untimely death two years ago.