Strangford (UK Parliament constituency)

For other constituencies of the same name, see Strangford (disambiguation).

Strangford
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Strangford as of 2024
Districts of Northern Ireland
Major settlements
Current constituency
Created1983
Member of ParliamentJim Shannon (DUP)
Created from

Strangford is a parliamentary constituency in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.

The constituency's current MP is Jim Shannon of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who has served since the 2010 election.

Constituency profile

Strangford covers the settlements either side of Strangford Lough.

The constituency has been represented by Unionist candidates since it was formed. There have not been significant votes for parties outside the traditional unionist block, although the Alliance has saved its deposit in every election.

The main interest in elections has been the contest between the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Until the 2001 general election, the UUP were clearly ahead of the DUP in Westminster elections, but elections to regional assemblies and local government were much closer. In 2001 the sitting MP John Taylor retired and the contest to succeed him was fierce. The seat was won by Iris Robinson for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the subsequent 2003 assembly election saw the DUP increase their vote further.

The seat is strongly unionist, and one of 7 areas of Northern Ireland which voted to leave the European Union.[2]

Boundaries

The seat was created after boundary changes in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from parts of North Down.

In 1995, the Commission recommended abolishing the constituency and dividing it between North Down and new constituencies of Mid Down, and Castlereagh and Newtownards. This was successfully opposed in local enquiries.

From 2024, for the first time, the town of Strangford is included in the constituency having previously being in South Down.

1983–1997 The district of Ards; and

in the district of Castlereagh, the wards of Beechill, Fourwinds, Hillfoot, Lower Braniel, Minnowburn, Moneyreagh, Newtownbreda, and Upper Braniel.[3][4]

1997–2010 In the district of Ards, the wards of Ballygowan, Ballyrainey, Ballywalter, Bradshaw's Brae, Carrowdore, Central, Comber East, Comber North, Comber West, Glen, Gregstown, Killinchy, Kircubbin, Lisbane, Loughries, Movilla, Portaferry, Portavogie, Scrabo, and Whitespots;

in the district of Castlereagh, the wards of Ballyhanwood, Carrowreagh, Carryduff East, Carryduff West, Dundonald, Enler, Graham's Bridge and Moneyreagh; and

in the district of Down, the wards of Derryboy, Killyleagh, and Saintfield.[5]

2010–2024 In the district of Ards, the wards of Ballygowan, Ballyrainey, Ballywalter, Bradshaw's Brae, Carrowdore, Central, Comber East, Comber North, Comber West, Glen, Gregstown, Killinchy, Kircubbin, Lisbane, Loughries, Movilla, Portaferry, Portavogie, Scrabo, and Whitespots;

in the district of Castlereagh, the ward of Moneyreagh; and

in the district of Down, the wards of Ballymaglave, Ballynahinch East, Derryboy, Killyleagh, Kilmore, and Saintfield.[6]

2024– In Ards and North Down, the wards of Ballygowan, Ballywalter, the part of the Carrowdore ward to the south of the southern boundary of the 2010–2024 North Down constituency, Comber North, Comber South, Comber West, Conway Square, Cronstown, Glen, Gregstown, Killinchy, Kircubbin, the part of the Loughries ward to the west of the southern boundary of the 2010–2024 North Down constituency, Movilla, Portaferry, Portavogie, Scrabo, and West Winds;

and in Newry, Mourne and Down, the wards of Ballynahinch, the part of the Ballyward ward to the north of the Ballyward split line, Crossgar and Killyleagh, Derryboy, Drumaness, Kilmore, the part of the Quoile ward to the north of the Quoile split line, the Strangford ward, except for the relevant area.[7][8]

Members of Parliament

Election Member[9] Party
1983 John Taylor UUP
1986 b
1987
1992
1997
2001 Iris Robinson* DUP
2005
2010 Vacant
2010 Jim Shannon DUP
2015
2017
2019
2024

* Iris Robinson left the DUP shortly before taking the Chiltern Hundreds to leave the Commons.[10] The seat was vacant from 13 January 2010 until the general election on 6 May 2010. Robinson resigned in January 2010 after a scandal involving financial dealings.[11] However, no by-election was held, as the next general election was held in May 2010.

Election results

Elections in the 2020s

2024 general election: Strangford[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 15,559 40.0 −0.5
Alliance Michelle Guy 10,428 26.8 +0.6
UUP Richard Smart 3,941 10.1 +0.9
TUV Ron McDowell 3,143 8.1 New
Sinn Féin Noel Sands 2,793 7.2 −0.4
SDLP Will Polland 1,783 4.6 −5.5
Green (NI) Alexandra Braidner 703 1.8 0.0
Independent Garreth Falls 256 0.7 New
Independent Gareth Burns 157 0.4 New
NI Conservatives Barry Hetherington 146 0.4 −3.0
Majority 5,131 13.2 −1.1
Turnout 38,909 52.2 −4.6
Registered electors 74,525
DUP hold Swing −0.55

Elections in the 2010s

2019 general election: Strangford[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 17,705 47.2 −14.8
Alliance Kellie Armstrong 10,634 28.4 +13.7
UUP Phillip Smith 4,023 10.7 −0.7
SDLP Joe Boyle 1,994 5.3 −0.9
NI Conservatives Grant Abraham 1,476 3.9 +2.6
Green (NI) Maurice Macartney 790 2.1 +0.5
Sinn Féin Ryan Carlin 555 1.5 −1.3
UKIP Robert Stephenson 308 0.8 New
Majority 7,071 18.8 −28.5
Turnout 37,485 56.0 −4.4
Registered electors 66,938
DUP hold Swing −14.3
2017 general election: Strangford[14][15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 24,036 62.0 +17.6
Alliance Kellie Armstrong 5,693 14.7 +0.9
UUP Mike Nesbitt 4,419 11.4 −2.9
SDLP Joe Boyle 2,404 6.2 −0.7
Sinn Féin Carole Murphy 1,083 2.8 +0.2
Green (NI) Ricky Bamford 607 1.6 New
NI Conservatives Claire Hiscott 507 1.3 −5.1
Majority 18,343 47.3 +17.2
Turnout 38,749 60.4 +7.6
Registered electors 64,327
DUP hold Swing +8.4
2015 general election: Strangford[16][17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 15,053 44.4 −1.5
UUP Robert Burgess 4,868 14.3 −13.5
Alliance Kellie Armstrong 4,687 13.8 +5.1
SDLP Joe Boyle 2,335 6.9 +0.2
UKIP Joe Jordan[18] 2,237 6.6 New
NI Conservatives Johnny Andrews[19] 2,167 6.4 New
TUV Stephen Cooper 1,701 5.0 −0.6
Sinn Féin Sheila Bailie 876 2.6 −1.0
Majority 10,185 30.1 +12.0
Turnout 33,924 52.8 −0.9
Registered electors 64,289
DUP hold Swing +6.0
2010 general election: Strangford[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 14,926 45.9 −8.8
UCU-NF Mike Nesbitt 9,050 27.8 +2.6
Alliance Deborah Girvan 2,828 8.7 +0.5
SDLP Claire Hanna 2,164 6.7 ±0.0
TUV Terry Williams 1,814 5.6 New
Sinn Féin Michael Coogan 1,161 3.6 −0.1
Green (NI) Barbara Haig 562 1.7 New
Majority 5,876 18.1 −17.4
Turnout 32.505 53.7 −3.4
Registered electors 60,539
DUP hold Swing −7.6

Elections in the 2000s

2005 general election: Strangford[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Iris Robinson 20,921 56.5 +13.7
UUP Gareth McGimpsey 7,872 21.3 −19.0
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 3,332 9.0 +2.3
SDLP Joe Boyle 2,496 6.7 +0.6
NI Conservatives Terry Dick 1,462 3.9 New
Sinn Féin Dermot Kennedy 949 2.6 +0.4
Majority 13,049 35.2 +32.7
Turnout 37,032 53.6 −6.3
Registered electors 68,570
DUP hold Swing +16.4
2001 general election: Strangford[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Iris Robinson 18,532 42.8 +12.6
UUP David McNarry 17,422 40.3 −4.0
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 2,902 6.7 −6.4
SDLP Danny McCarthy 2,646 6.1 −0.6
Sinn Féin Liam Johnston 930 2.2 +1.0
NI Unionist Cedric Wilson 822 1.9 New
Majority 1,110 2.5
Turnout 43,254 59.9 +0.4
Registered electors 72,192
DUP gain from UUP Swing −8.3

Elections in the 1990s

1997 general election: Strangford[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John Taylor 18,431 44.3 −4.7
DUP Iris Robinson 12,579 30.2 +10.3
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 5,467 13.1 −3.0
SDLP Peter O'Reilly 2,775 6.7 New
NI Conservatives Gilbert Chalk 1,743 4.2 −10.0
Sinn Féin Garret O'Fachtna 503 1.2 New
Natural Law Sarah Mullins 121 0.3 −0.4
Majority 5,852 14.1 −15.0
Turnout 41,619 59.5 −5.5
Registered electors 70,073
UUP hold Swing −7.6
Notional 1992 Election Result: Strangford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP N/A 20,473 49.0 N/A
DUP N/A 8,295 19.9 N/A
Alliance N/A 6,736 16.1 N/A
NI Conservatives N/A 5,945 14.2 N/A
Others N/A 295 0.7 N/A
Majority 12,178 29.1 N/A
1992 general election: Strangford[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John Taylor 19,517 43.6 −32.3
DUP Sammy Wilson 10,606 23.7 New
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 7,585 16.9 −3.4
NI Conservatives Stephen Eyre 6,782 15.1 New
Natural Law David Shaw 295 0.7 New
Majority 8,911 19.9 −35.7
Turnout 44,785 65.0 +7.4
Registered electors 68,901
UUP hold Swing

Elections in the 1980s

1987 general election: Strangford[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John Taylor 28,199 75.9 +27.1
Alliance Addie Morrow 7,553 20.3 +4.5
Workers' Party Imelda Elizabeth Hynds 1,385 3.7 New
Majority 20,646 55.6 +36.8
Turnout 37,137 57.6 −7.3
Registered electors 64,429
UUP hold Swing
1986 Strangford by-election[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John Taylor 32,627 94.2 +45.4
"For the Anglo-Irish Agreement" "Peter Barry" (Wesley Robert Williamson)[27] 1,993 5.8 New
Majority 30,634 88.4 +69.6
Turnout 34,620 55.0 −9.9
Registered electors 62,854
UUP hold Swing
1983 general election: Strangford[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John Taylor 19,086 48.8
DUP Simpson Gibson 11,716 30.0
Alliance Addie Morrow 6,171 15.8
SDLP James Curry 1,713 4.4
Independent Labour Samuel Raymond Heath 430 1.1
Majority 7,370 18.8
Turnout 39,116 64.9
Registered electors 60,179
UUP win (new seat)

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Strangford', June 1983 up to May 1997". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing Limited. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Strangford: Seat Details". Electoral Calculus.
  3. ^ Schedule (a) County constituencies, "The Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 (No. 1838)" (PDF). legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. 22 December 1982.
  4. ^ Crewe, Ivor (1983). British Parliamentary Constituencies – A Statistical Companion. faber and faber. ISBN 0-571-13236-7.
  5. ^ "Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order 1995: Schedule", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 23 November 1995, SI 1995/2992 (sch.)
  6. ^ "Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order 2008: Schedule", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 11 June 2008, SI 2008/1486 (sch.)
  7. ^ "Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023: Schedule 2", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 15 November 2023, SI 2023/1230 (sch. 2)
  8. ^ "Electorate Statistics by Ward 2024". Electoral Office of Northern Ireland – EONI. 3 June 2024 Total Electorate (XLS). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  9. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "S" (part 5)
  10. ^ "Parliamentary career for Mrs Iris Robinson". UK Parliament.
  11. ^ "Iris Robinson 'to step down as MP and MLA next week'". BBC News. 9 January 2010.
  12. ^ "General election for the constituency of Strangford on 4 July 2024". UK Parliament.
  13. ^ "Strangford Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Election of a Member of Parliament for the STRANGFORD Constituency - Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll". Electoral Office of Northern Ireland. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Strangford Constituency". Election Polling.
  16. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  17. ^ "The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland – EONI". eoni.org.uk.
  18. ^ "Joe Jordan and Robert Hill join Ukip in Northern Ireland". BBC News. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Tories pick Andrews as Westminster candidate for Strangford". NI Conservatives. 21 October 2014.
  20. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  26. ^ "By-election Result". United Kingdom Election Results.
  27. ^ Nicholas Whyte (13 May 2003). "Westminster by-elections, 23 January 1986". Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.

54°29′02″N 5°37′05″W / 54.484°N 5.618°W / 54.484; -5.618

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