Lord Kilclooney: low unionist turnout has helped nationalism to advance

Irish nationalism has advanced because of a lower turnout by unionists.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Mar 2017, 15:52 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:04 BST
Victorious Sinn Fein northern leader Michelle O'Neill arrives at the Belfast count centre and is greeted by the party's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye.Victorious Sinn Fein northern leader Michelle O'Neill arrives at the Belfast count centre and is greeted by the party's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye.
Victorious Sinn Fein northern leader Michelle O'Neill arrives at the Belfast count centre and is greeted by the party's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye.

This will be misunderstood in England where they will think this result means that Northern Ireland is heading towards a united Ireland.

But whilst it is correct that unionism has lost its Stormont majority nonetheless, even after the surge in the Sinn Fein votes, a majority of 26,394 electors voted for pro United Kingdom parties rather than pro united Ireland parties – 368,159 to 341,705 votes.

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In addition there were a further 94,526 votes for the ‘sitting on the fence’ parties eg Alliance, Greens etc.

DUP leader Arlene Foster at the count centre at Omagh Leisure Complex on Friday. Picture: Trevor Lucy / Press Eye.DUP leader Arlene Foster at the count centre at Omagh Leisure Complex on Friday. Picture: Trevor Lucy / Press Eye.
DUP leader Arlene Foster at the count centre at Omagh Leisure Complex on Friday. Picture: Trevor Lucy / Press Eye.

In fairness to the DUP it emerged as the largest party in both votes and seats even though it is a pro Brexit Party in a Northern Ireland which by a majority voted to remain in the EU.

That was quite an achievement!

Those who voted Sinn Fein may well have ensured that Northern Ireland is governed by an English Conservative direct rule minister instead of a joint unionist/nationalist Northern Ireland Executive as we had foreseen when we negotiated the Belfast Agreement.

Lord Kilclooney, Armagh

Related topics:EnglandNorthern IrelandIrelandSinn FeinUnited Kingdom