SOUTH BELFAST:THE SUCCESS of the SDLP in the South Belfast constituency reflected the desire of voters that there would be no return to the tribal politics of old, the party's candidate, Dr Alasdair McDonnell said in his victory speech.
Speaking at the King’s Hall, he said: “When I was first elected as your MP, it represented a major breakthrough for partnership, and a commitment to the common project of uniting around the things that bind us together, rather than divide us.
“This result far exceeds my expectations and I thank the people of South Belfast for re-electing me and endorsing my work over the last five years.
“There were others trying to push this election into tribal trenches and reduce it to a sectarian headcount.
“To those who tried this trend, I think the people of South Belfast have given a clear answer: there’s no return to the old politics, there’s no return to cul de sac politics.” This was a victory, not just for himself and the SDLP, “but for the politics of hope against the politics of the past”.
It was “loud and clear” on the doorsteps that, “it’s time to move on, it’s time to create the future we all so earnestly desire”, Dr McDonnell said.
Unsuccessful DUP candidate Jimmy Spratt congratulated Dr McDonnell, but added: “I do not accept your reference to unionist unity being sectarian. Whenever unionist parties talk together, it doesn’t mean that there is anything whatsoever sectarian in it and I think that’s a myth that should be dispelled”.
He said the issue of unionist unity had come up continually on the doorsteps: “After this election, sectarian as it may be called, or whatever, I think unionist parties will continue to talk to each other, and rightly so.”
Green Party candidate Adam McGibbon said he hoped all present would condemn the bomb scare at the Foyle constituency count centre: “It’s an absolute disgrace.” Dr McDonnell secured 14,026 votes and Mr Spratt took second place with 8,100; Paula Bradshaw of the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists – New Force, polled 5,910 votes; Anna Lo, Alliance Party, 5,114 and Adam McGibbon of the Greens received 1,036 votes.
Sinn Féin had withdrawn its South Belfast candidate Alex Maskey, but the SDLP were pointing out after the count that Dr McDonnell’s majority was more than double the 2,662 votes Mr Maskey obtained in the 2005 Westminster election.
Dr McDonnell’s majority was 1,235 over Mr Spratt in 2005 but on this occasion he was 5,926 votes ahead of his DUP rival.