Paisley and McCartney face taunts of victors

Never before in the North has such a broad sweep of politicians been happy for the same reason

Never before in the North has such a broad sweep of politicians been happy for the same reason. But there they were, all smiling - David Trimble, Gerry Adams, David Ervine and John Hume.

Pat Bradley, the chief electoral officer, had barely announced the referendum result when he was drowned by a chorus of "Easy! Easy! Easy!" Supporters of the Belfast Agreement were ecstatic.

The Women's Coalition hugged each other. The Ulster Unionists sighed in relief. Alliance popped open a bottle of champagne. UVF and IRA men, part of the Progressive Unionist and Sinn Fein entourages respectively, cheered loudly.

There were two sides at the King's Hall in Balmoral on Saturday. The UK Unionists and the DUP versus everybody else. The result was not a disaster for the anti-agreement unionists but they failed to bring the Yes vote below the magical 70 per cent. The two parties tried to present the result bravely but their heavy faces said it all.

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Their opponents were far from magnanimous in victory. Before the Democratic Unionist Party and UK Unionist contingents even returned to the main hall after the declaration, Progressive Unionist Party supporters were shouting, "Bring on the losers!"

When the Rev Ian Paisley and Bob McCartney emerged they were greeted with a barrage of abuse - "You're yesterday's men! Go home dinosaurs! Ulster Says Yes!". Some members of the normally well-mannered Women's Coalition cheered and clapped enthusiastically.

"Look at Ian, he's shaking. He doesn't believe what is happening," said a PUP woman. "North Down voted Yes, Bob - will you resign your seat? We'll book your plane ticket," a loyalist yelled.

"Leave them alone," shouted his friend. "You don't kick a dog when its down." Messrs Paisley and McCartney left to chants of "Cheerio! Cheerio! Cheerio!"

The DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson, was unimpressed. "Many PUP members are obviously finding it hard to behave themselves. They don't know the meaning of democracy. They are paramilitaries at heart."

A DUP man had an idea for raising his group's spirit. "Give us a song Willie," he urged the DUP's gospel megastar, the Rev Willie McCrea. "Well it won't be a Provo one," said Willie but he didn't sing.

Hundreds of journalists from all over the world awaited the result. Most were angry that Mr Bradley kept them behind a partitioned wall for the declaration. Photographers resorted to desperate measures.

They put chairs on top of tables and balanced precariously on top, trying to peer over for pictures of the momentous announcement. Others stood on wheelie-bins. The only good view was from the balcony of the King's Hall where the electronic media were assembled, but it was still a long way from the action.

It took over six hours to count the votes. Throughout the day, different predictions circulated. Yes campaigners forecast 72 per cent, the No supporters said it would be 69 per cent. "No way would Ulster ever go for a 69-er," insisted one nationalist.

As each political leader entered, a frenzied media scrum surrounded them. No-one attracted more attention than Gerry Adams. "He has more journalists around him than Tony Blair," muttered a King's Hall security guard. "That one will be prime minister of Ireland any day."

Sinn Fein officials were eager that their leader's entrance be dignified. "Gerry, stop here!" shouted press officer Richard McAuley on several occasions, anxious the delegation not be rushed. "Richard, we're like yoyos with all this starting and stopping," complained Mr Adams.

"Reroute that march!" yelled a PUP onlooker, pointing to the progressing Sinn Fein entourage. One republican was momentarily confused. "Where are we going?" he asked. "Just follow Gerry," said his colleague.

However, it wasn't all so good-humoured. When the UK Unionists swept into the King's Hall, Seamus Mallon said some of them jostled him. "I'm standing here. You're not going to walk over me. Nobody pushes me out of the road," an angry Mr Mallon shouted. A UK Unionist tried to say no harm was intended but the SDLP deputy leader was unconvinced. "Don't worry about them Seamus," said a PUP man. "You've been insulted by better people."

After the declaration, all the Yes campaigners were jubilant. Martin McGuinness signed autographs. David Trimble did a round of media interviews. Monica McWilliams of the Women's Coalition had a pint. And John Hume, clearly moved, mounted a table outside the King's Head pub across the road. "We are overcoming," he said.