Boyle 'optimistic' of first nationalist seat in Strangford

Boyle 'optimistic' of first nationalist seat in Strangford

6 May 2016

SDLP’s Joe Boyle is “cautiously optimistic” he may finally take a first nationalist seat in Strangford.

The Portaferry politician has secured 2,724 first preference votes in his fourth Assembly contest – up 197 since 2011.

Crediting his performance to strong support in Ballynahinch and Killyleagh, he is also grateful to the Portaferry electorate where he estimates he took 85 per cent of the vote.

With Sinn Fein’s Dermot Kennedy just eliminated, the next round of transfers will be most valuable for Boyle and his team.

“I’m in a slightly better position today than I was in the last three elections,” he said. 

“I have to be optimistic, there is a lot of transferring to be done.”