Nesbitt tops polls

Nesbitt tops polls

11 May 2016

ULSTER Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt admitted to mixed emotions following his surprise position at top of the poll in Strangford.

He received 4,673 votes, 10 ahead of the 4,663 quota and was elected on the first round with the DUP’s Michelle McIlveen.

Five years ago Mr Nesbitt polled 3,273 on the first round and was elected on the sixth count without reaching the quota.

But he quickly acknowledged — unfounded in the end — that his strong polling may not be good news for his running mate Philip Smith, giving the SDLP’s Joe Boyle a chance for the final seat.

“It is very gratifying and humbling,” he said. “I am shocked and I am pleased.

“It is bittersweet at this stage as Philip has a lot to do. I would rather we had come fifth and sixth that first and seventh.

“You just don’t know the way transfers will work. The Ulster Unionists tend to be transfer friendly but he has a lot of work to do.”

Despite his reservations at that stage of the evening, the former broadcast journalist clearly cut a more confident figure as Strangford Assemblyman than in 2011.

He said there had been no particular support or lack of support in different parts of the constituency but more of a general feeling that people were behind him.

“2010 was the first year, 2011 was better, this year was so much better — people coming up to you and saying ‘you have got my vote’.”

Europe and the ramifications of leaving Europe in the forthcoming 

EU referendum was a big issue on the doorsteps, Mr Nesbitt added. He said people wanted guidance to the “mixed messages” they were hearing in the media.

Giving his official speech later in the evening, Mr Nesbitt said he was delighted his running mate Philip Smith had made it two MLAs for the Ulster Unionists. However, also remembering less successful elections, he reflected on how democracy could be a “very exposed place” before going on to pay tribute to the defeated Joe Boyle.

“You put yourself in a lonely place and sometimes a hurtful place,” he said. “Does anyone know what it feels like to be Joe Boyle? He has stood four times and come very close. 

“At lunchtime he must have felt he had an unassailable lead only to have it whittled and whittled away. I just want to say how deeply sorry I am.”