Bell rings with a triumphant result

Bell rings with a triumphant result

11 May 2016

JONATHAN Bell and Simon Hamilton were the third and fourth MLAs to be elected for Strangford. Both DUP politicians have risen in public consciousness since the last Assembly elections.

Jonathan Bell was elected in 2011 shortly after being co-opted into the position and the former Craigavon and Ards councillor has since been a junior minister at the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister as well as Enterprise Minister.

On Friday he secured 3,393 first preference votes and was elected at stage seven with a final tally of 5,164 once transfers were processed.

This is a slight dip, down from 4,265 first preference votes in 2011 which got him through on the first round.

Back in 2011 Simon Hamilton, who has family connections to Down District, described himself as ‘one of the new faces’. A few short years later and Mr Hamilton is Health Minister and is considered one of the leading lights within the party.

In 2011 Mr Hamilton secured 3,456 first preference votes, and it increased slightly this time to 3,964. He was also elected at the seventh stage.

Mr Hamilton didn’t stick around for the victory speeches but earlier spoke of how well the DUP vote had been managed in Strangford.

Mr Bell thanked everyone, beginning with God, who had helped return him to the Assembly and for the “privilege and opportunity” to represent the constituency.

He said that five years ago he had been “quite ill”, and added: “I want to dedicate this victory to my mum who passed away. She sacrificed a lot to put her boys through school. So mum this one is for you.”

Mr Bell also paid tribute to the DUP’s Harry Harvey who was unable to secure a fourth seat for the party. He went on to praise the DUP’s vote management system, admitting that he had some doubts as to the number of areas in which he was being promoted for first preference vote.

“But the people of Strangford did not let me down,” he said.