Shannon expected to be poll-topper in expanded Strangford constituency

Shannon expected to be poll-topper in expanded Strangford constituency

19 June 2024

TEN candidates go to post in the Strangford Westminster race where the DUP’s Jim Shannon is the sitting MP and widely expected to retain his seat.

Mr Shannon, who has held the seat since 2010, is defending a majority of almost of 7,100 and  while his constituency has lost Saintfield, he is taking nothing for granted.

Wards to the west of Comber have also been moved to the new South Belfast and Mid Down constituency, with the switch of a number of South Down wards significantly increasing nationalist voters in what has been a unionist stronghold for decades.

As in South Down, much focus will be on Alliance’s performance.

Kellie Armstrong polled 10,634 votes in 2019 but she is not standing in July, with the party selecting former Assumption Grammar School student Michelle Guy.

In the most recent Westminster election, Alliance cut Mr Shannon’s majority by 11,000 votes.

Elsewhere in Strangford, Mike Nesbitt’s elevation to replace former Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann opened the door to Ards and North Down councillor Richard Smart to be the UUP’s nomination.

Mr Swann has stood down to contest South Antrim Westminster seat after being selected as the UUP’s chosen candidate.

The SDLP has selected Killyleagh man Will Polland. He is no stranger to elections having been selected by his party as a candidate in Sieve Croob in last year’s council elections.

The other candidates include the TUV’s Ron McDowell, the Conservative’s Barry Hetherington, Independents Gareth Burns and Garreth Falls, Sinn Fein’s Noel Sands and the Green Party’s Alexandra Baidner.

The Greens have contested all but one election since 2010 with the party’s highest share being 4% in 2014. The Conservatives secured t2% of the vote 2014.