Sinn Fein revel in ‘seismic’ shift to Republicans

8 March 2017

SINEAD Ennis and Chris Hazzard are delighted Sinn Fein has become the dominant political party in South Down for the first time.

The Republican duo polled an impressive 19,083 first preference votes between them as the party’s grip on the constituency continues to strengthen. At last year’s Assembly poll, Sinn Fein was just 155 votes behind the SDLP, but Republicans have now a commanding lead and have described their South Down victory as a “watershed moment.”

Mrs Ennis — who is due to give birth to her second child next month — topped the poll in emphatic style. She was chosen to replace the party’s former education minister and deputy Assembly speaker Caitriona Ruane and was delighted with her result, admitting it was something she never expected.

“We knew we had run a really positive campaign and people could not wait to engage with us on the doorstep. Topping polls was never on anyone’s radar, it was about getting the job done, trying to maximise our vote and I am delighted we have done that in spectacular fashion,” said a beaming new MLA.

Mrs Ennis said she was not overawed at having to follow Ms Ruane, praising her predecessor for her help and support throughout the campaign. The new MLA said she is ready for the “big step up” from Newry, Mourne and Down Council to the Assembly.

“I was honoured to be asked to represent Sinn Fein in South Down and delighted we have got the job done. We made a conscious effort to get to as many doors as possible and to engage with as many people as possible. This has paid off,” she continued.

Mrs Ennis said the electorate has rewarded Sinn Fein for its work on the ground, insisting the Assembly election success was not something that happened overnight. She said it is something the party has been steadily building over the years.

“Our success is down to hard work and delivery, listening to people and working with communities. We have a job of work to do over the next number of weeks and I am up for the challenge and focused to get the institutions back up and running. Having topped the poll, I find myself in a slightly surreal situation,” she continued.

“When I think about the calibre of my running mate, Chris, and all the hard work of our activists, it is no surprise we are sitting here tonight with this historic result. Chris and I are ready to do business and Sinn Fein is ready to do business. But it is important all parties join us in this endeavour. The story of this election in South Down is Sinn Fein which has turned a 150 deficit behind the SDLP into a 7,000-plus majority. I am so proud I was able to play my part in what is a watershed moment for Sinn Fein in South Down.”

Mr Hazzard described the outcome of last week’s election as “seismic,” expressing delight Sinn Fein polled more than 19,000 votes, cementing its position as the leading political party in the constituency.

He continued: “This was a vote for respect; a vote for integrity; and a vote for equality. It was also a vote against Brexit. The Good Friday Agreement provided a framework to protect all communities, but Brexit and the arrogance of the DUP in recent times has seriously undermined these protections so it is no surprise that the South Down electorate came out to vote in numbers not seen since 1998.”

The former Stormont Infrastructure Minister said on a broader level as a result of last week’s election “we now awake to an entirely altered political reality; unionism is no longer a majority in Stormont for the first time in the history of the northern state.”

He said Sinn Fein will use its mandate wisely to put equality, respect and integrity at the heart of the political institutions.

He continued: ”The principles of integrity and respect enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement has to be part of the forthcoming negotiations. Sinead Ennis represents the future and we now have a good, youthful, talented and articulated team in South Down from local council through to Assembly level and people want to believe in that. The people of South Down came out and supported progressive people and I also note how well Alliance’s Patrick Brown did in this election.

Mr Hazzard said he is keen to get back to the Executive, insisting Sinn Fein wants to make the Assembly work for everyone and will use the historic mandate it has been given by the people of South Down.

He added: ”This is the best election for Sinn Fein in decades, maybe ever in South Down. There are so many articulate young people behind us and while I saw many of them at one of the polling stations in Downpatrick whom I did not recognise, it is clear from the party’s performance who they were supporting. It is gratifying and humbling to be recognised for the work you do, but what is more important is electorate support for our policies. We will use the mandate we have been given by the people of this constituency.

“We set ourselves targets for this election, not only have we achieved them, but smashed through them. Now is the time to get on with the job of getting the Executive back up and running. Going forward, there will be no return to the status quo. We are about building a new Ireland, an Ireland of 32 counties built on equality, respect and integrity. We go into the negotiations in a problem solving mood, but there will no bending and no return to the status quo.”

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