Armstrong first past the post after transfers

Armstrong first past the post after transfers

8 March 2017

BACK in May 2016 the Alliance Party’s Kellie Armstrong looked like she could hardly believe her Assembly victory.

A relatively new face, she was undoubtedly feeling the pressure of taking over from popular predecessor Kieran McCarthy and relieved to have come in fourth place and secured a seat. Fast forward 10 months and she was first past the post in Strangford.

This time round the Ards Peninsula woman secured 5,813 first preference votes, over 2,000 more than last time, and was the first to meet the quota at stage four on Friday.

Transfers from the Conservatives, the Green Party and Sinn Fein helped gain her vote rise to 6,610 votes.

Last time a nervous Ms Armstrong declined to offer any predictions to the media gathered at the count centre. This time round there was a broad smile as she did her round of victory interviews.

She said she was “pleasantly surprised” to be the first past the post.

“When you work for everybody you get votes from everybody,” she said. “Alliance has been working extremely hard in Strangford. It is a fantastic result.”

Mrs Armstrong said she ran her campaign locally on positive issues. She said she wasn’t sure what part if any the RHI heating scandal, and its impact on the DUP, had had on her result. 

However, she said people were sick of “bickering” politicians.

“Our constituency case load has gone through the roof in the last six months,” she said. “We have a great team working locally.”

An active member of the Alliance Party for over seven years, Ms Armstrong was co-opted to replace Kieran McCarthy as councillor on Ards Borough Council and then elected in 2014 to Ards and North Down Borough Council. 

With a previous career based in community transport, for nine years she was the Northern Ireland Director of the Community Transport Association delivering transport solutions for older people and people with disabilities.

Married to husband Barry, the couple have a daughter Sophia and live between Portaferry and Kircubbin.  A former camogie player, in her spare time she continues to support local GAA clubs in the Upper Ards area.

Policy wise Ms Armstrong said one of her main priorities was integrated education.

“I plan to take forward my private member’s bill to legislate for better promotion of integrated education across Northern Ireland,” she said. 

The Alliance politician said she was also conscious of the infrastructure issues facing the Ards Peninsula.

In her victory speech, Ms Armstrong said it was a “privilege” to have secured her party’s biggest vote in Strangford.

“Strangford was picked as one to watch and certainly has been one to look at today,” she said.

“I am absolutely privileged to have such a high vote from the voters of Strangford.

“There was a bit of pressure on me to make sure I secured the Alliance seat, going from six seats to five in the constituency. 

“I would like to thank my amazing team of volunteers, who came out day after day to knock doors, building on the constituency work that has been done. Thank you very much for all your help and support.”

Ms Armstrong said politicians at Stormont faced an “interesting situation” and that voters required action.

“On Monday we have to get back to getting power sharing up and running as soon as possible,” she said. “We have got a strong message that Northern Ireland needs to get back to work.”

Congratulating all those who secured an Assembly place, Ms Armstrong added: “Commiserations, particularly to Philip Smith, who I have worked closely with in the council. It is always very difficult to lose someone. Also to Joe Boyle who came so close. Congratulations on your numbers. 

“The turn out in Strangford was amazing.

“It has been an absolute privilege to create the biggest vote Strangford has ever had for Alliance.”