Upper Bann: There is no love lost between the unionist rivals in Upper Bann. Asked if he had spoken to Mr David Trimble during the count, DUP candidate Mr David Simpson replied: "There was an exchange of glares."
The DUP had every reason to be happy with the electoral encounter. Its vote rose 13 per cent in the Ulster Unionist leader's own constituency, leaving the two parties neck-and-neck.
The three UUP candidates secured 12,786 votes to 12,400 for the DUP. Mr Simpson said that when the 1,166 votes of two anti-agreement unionist candidates were added to the DUP total, there was "a definite anti-agreement majority in Upper Bann". However, UUP sources said the party was "well pleased" with its vote which "held up". Mr David Trimble won 9,158 votes and was the only candidate elected on the first count.
The UUP's Mr Sam Gardiner, a Trimble loyalist, was elected on the ninth count. Former UUP Assembly member Mr George Savage, who appeared to switch his viewpoint and became increasingly anti-agreement during the campaign, lost out. Mr Simpson was elected on the fifth count. Running-mate Councillor Stephen Moutray came in on the next. The DUP's former MLA Mr Denis Watson, was not re-elected. Sinn Féin polled 22 per cent of the vote, an eight per cent rise. The SDLP vote was down by eight per cent to 16. Both parties finished with a seat apiece. The SDLP's Ms Dolores Kelly was elected. Sinn Féin's seat was won by local councillor Mr John O'Dowd.