Foyle


Map and graph by Conal Kelly

This constituency includes the northern part of Derry and Strabane District Council. The MP since 2019 is Colum Eastwood (SDLP Leader), who defeated Elisha McCallion (Sinn Féin). McCallion, elected in 2017, had defeated Mark Durkan (SDLP). He had taken over in 2005 from his predecessor as party leader, John Hume, who had represented the constituency since it was created in 1983. SF and the SDLP each hold two of the fifth Assembly seats here, and the DUP have the other. See the 1983-92 Foyle results.

The new boundaries see a little trimming at the edges to East Londonderry and West Tyrone. The changes are minor, and although more Nationalist than Unionist voters are moved, the Unionist vote share is hit worse.

2024 Westminster election

Colum Eastwood (SDLP) 15,647 (40.8%, -17.5%)
Sandra Duffy (SF) 11,481 (29.9%, +8.8%)
Gary Middleton (DUP) 3,915 (10.2%, +1.5%)
Shaun Harkin (PBP) 2,444 (6.4%)
Anne McCloskey (Ind) 1,519 (4.0%)
Janice Montgomery (UUP) 1,422 (3.7%, +1.7%)
Rachael Ferguson (Alliance) 1,268 (3.3%, +0.6%)
John Boyle (Aontú) 662 (1.7%)

Electorate: 73,496; total vote 38,765 (52.7%); valid vote 38,358; invalid 407 (1%)

The SDLP slipped back significantly from their impressive 2019 result, but are still safe. Incidentally this had the highest proportion of spoiled votes in Northern Ireland.

If cast in an Assembly election, these votes would probably get the SDLP and SF two seats each, and the DUP one, which was also the result of the 2022 Assembly election.

2019 Westminster notional result on new boundaries:

SDLP 25,785 (58.2%)
SF 9,372 (21.2%)
DUP 3,852 (8.7%)
Aontu 1,949 (4.4%)
PBP 1,251 (2.8%)
Alliance 1,189 (2.7%)
UUP 878 (2.0%)

See spreadsheets from the 2011 Assembly election, the 2010 Westminster election, the 2007 Assembly election, the 2005 Westminster election, the 2003 Assembly election, the 2001 Westminster election, the 1998 Assembly election, the 1997 Westminster election and the 1996 Forum/talks election. See also the detailed guide from 2007 by "Sammy Morse".

		DUP	UUP	Alliance	PBP	SDLP	SF	Aontu
2019 actual		4,773	1,088	1,267	1,332	26,881	9,771	2,032
		10.1%	2.3%	2.7%	2.8%	57.0%	20.7%	4.3%
From Foyle	To Foyle	3,852	878	1189	1,251	25,785	9,372	1949
From Foyle	To East Londonderry	-691	-157	-49	-51	-591	-215	-45
From Foyle	To West Tyrone	-230	-53	-29	-30	-505	-184	-38
2019 notional		3,852	878	1,189	1,251	25,785	9,372	1,949
		8.7%	2.0%	2.7%	2.8%	58.2%	21.2%	4.4%
		-1.4%	-0.3%	0.0%	0.0%	1.2%	0.4%	0.1%

Results of recent elections

	DUP	UUP	Oth U	Alliance	PBPA	Oth	SDLP	SF
2024w	10.2%	3.7%		3.3%	6.4%	5.7%	40.8%	29.9%
2022a	8.8%	8.0%	1.1%	4.7%	5.6%	8.2%	30.9%	32.8%
2019w	10.1%	2.3%		2.7%	2.8%	4.3%	57.0%	20.7%
2019lg	11.4%	5.3%		5.2%	9.0%	12.3%	30.8%	26.0%
2017w	16.1%			1.8%	3.0%		39.3%	39.7%
2017a	13.4%	3.7%	0.2%	2.5%	10.7%	1.1%	31.8%	36.6%
2016a	11.9%	3.6%	3.0%	0.6%	10.5%	10.9%	30.0%	28.5%
2015w	12.4%	3.3%	2.6%	2.3%			47.9%	31.6%
2014lg	11.9%	5.7%	2.7%	1.5%		11.4%	32.3%	34.4%
2011a	18.4%			0.9%	8.0%	3.5%	35.3%	34.0%
2011lg	14.2%	3.8%	0.5%	0.9%	3.3%	5.1%	38.0%	34.2%
2010w	11.9%	3.2%		0.6%	7.8%		44.7%	31.9%
2007a	16.6%	4.2%	0.2%	0.6%	5.0%	5.5%	37.1%	30.9%
2005w	14.1%	2.3%			3.6%	0.1%	46.4%	33.3%
2005lg	15.7%	4.2%			2.9%	3.1%	40.7%	33.3%

(NB: figures given in the PBP column for 2007 and 2005 are for its predecessor, the Socialist Environmental Alliance.)

2022 Assembly election (five seats)

@Pádraig Delargy (SF) 9,471 (20.2%)
@Mark H. Durkan (SDLP) 7,999 (17.1%)
@Ciara Ferguson (SF) 5,913 (12.6%)
@Gary Middleton (DUP) 4,101 (8.8%)
Ryan McCready (UUP) 3,744 (8.0%)
Brian Tierney (SDLP) 3,272 (7.0%)
@Sinead McLaughlin (SDLP) 3,189 (6.8%)
Shaun Harkin (PBP) 2,621 (5.6%)
Rachael Ferguson (Alliance) 2,220 (4.7%)
Emmet Doyle (Aontú) 2,000 (4.3%)
Anne McCloskey (Ind) 854 (1.8%)
Colly McLaughlin (IRSP) 766 (1.6%)
Elizabeth Neely (TUV) 499 (1.1%)
Gillian Hamilton (Green) 215 (0.5%)

@ member of the Assembly when it was dissolved

SF 15,384 (32.8%, -3.8%) 2 seats
SDLP 14,460 (30.9%, -0.9%) 2 seats
DUP 4,101 (8.8%, -4.6%) 1 seat
UUP 3,744 (8.0%, +4.3%)
PBP 2,621 (5.6%, -5.1%)
Alliance 2,220 (4.7%, +2.2%)
Aontú 2,000 (4.3%)
Ind 854 (1.8%)
IRSP 766 (1.6%)
TUV 499 (1.1%)
Green 215 (0.5%, ±0%)

Electorate: 77,343
Votes cast: 47,674 (61.6%, -3.4%), spoilt votes 810 (1.7%)
Valid votes: 46,864, quota 7,811

In the longest count of the election, leading to the closest final count result, the DUP's Gary Middleton retained his seat by a margin of 95 votes over the UUP's Ryan McCready. There were no undistributed surplus votes. Middleton was the last MLA to be elected for 2022. Foyle represented the best result of the election for both the SDLP and Aontú.

2019 Westminster election

@Colum Eastwood (SDLP) 26,881 (57.%, +17.7%)
*Elisha McCallion (SF) 9,771 (20.7%, -19.%)
@Gary Middleton (DUP) 4,773 (10.1%, -6.0%)
Anne McCloskey (Aontú) 2,032 (4.3%, +4.3%)
Shaun Harkin (PBP) 1,332 (2.8%, -0.2%)
Rachael Ferguson (Alliance) 1,267 (2.7%, +0.8%)
Darren Guy (UUP) 1,088 (2.3%, +2.3%)

* outgoing MP.
@ member of the Assembly.

Electorate: 74,346; Total Poll: 47,370 (63.7%); Invalid Votes: 226 (0.5%); Valid Votes: 47,144

One of the SDLP's two gains in the election. SF vote almost halved compared to 2017. Local elections had indicated slippage here, but not this much. SDLP also clearly ate into Unionist vote. In a five-seat Assembly election, these votes would give the SDLP three seats, Sinn Fein one, and the DUP best placed for the last.

2019 local government election

From the 2011 census, Foyle includes:

The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of Ballyarnett
The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of Foyleside
The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of The Moor
The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of Waterside
76% of the Derry and Strabane DEA of Faughan.

With some adjustment for voter community background, I project the 2019 results as:

SDLP 12,355 (30.8%)
SF 10,423 (26.0%)
DUP 4,564 (11.4%)
Inds 3,889 (9.7%)
PBP 3,590 (9.0%)
UUP 2,141 (5.3%)
Alliance 2,078 (5.2%)
Aontú 1,032 (2.6%)

If cast in a five-seat STV election, those votes would give the SDLP and SF two seats each and the DUP one.

2017 Westminster election

@Elisha McCallion (SF) 18,256 (39.7%, +8.1%)
*Mark Durkan (SDLP) 18,087 (39.3%, +8.6%)
@Gary Middleton (DUP) 7,398 (16.1%, +4.2%)
Shaun Harkin (PBP) 1,377 (3.0%)
John Doherty (Alliance) 847 (1.8%, -0.5%)

* outgoing MP.
@ member of the Assembly

Electorate: 70,324; Total Poll: 46,136 (65.6%); Invalid Votes: 177 (0.4%); Valid Votes: 45,965

What had been the SDLP's safest seat fell to SF by a margin of 169 votes, the closest result in Northern Ireland. In a five-seat Assembly election, these votes would give SF and the SDLP two seats each, and the DUP one.

2017 Assembly election (five seats)

Elisha Mccallion (SF) 9,205 (20.6%)
@Colum Eastwood (SDLP) 7,240 (16.2%)
@Raymond Mccartney (SF) 7,145 (16.0%)
@Mark Durkan (SDLP) 6,948 (15.6%)
@Gary Middleton (DUP) 5,975 (13.4%)
@Eamonn McCann (PBP) 4,760 (10.7%)
Julia Kee (UUP) 1,660 (3.7%)
Colm Cavanagh (Alliance) 1,124 (2.5%)
Shannon Downey (Green) 242 (0.5%)
John Lindsay (CISTA) 196 (0.4%)
Stuart Canning (Con) 77 (0.2%)
Arthur Mcguinness (Ind) 44 (0.1%)

@ member of the Assembly for Foyle when it was dissolved
% member of the Assembly for Mid Ulster when it was dissolved

SF 16,350 (36.6%, +8.1%) 2 seats
SDLP 14,188 (31.8%, +1.8%) 2 seats
DUP 5,975 (13.4%, +1.5%) 1 seat
PBP 4,760 (10.7%, +0.2%) 0 seats (-1)
UUP 1,660 (3.7%, +0.1%)
Alliance 1,124 (2.5%, +1.9%)
Green 242 (0.5%, +0.1%)
CISTA 196 (0.4%, -0.3%)
Con 77 (0.2%, +0.1%)
Ind 44 (0.1%)

Electorate: 69,718
Votes cast: 45,317 (65.0%, +9.0%), spoilt votes 701 (1.5%)
Valid votes: 44,616, quota 7,437

Sinn Fein overtook the SDLP for the first time. People Before Profit lost their seat won in 2016, 663.21 votes behind the DUP. It is notable that when the UUP and Alliance were eliminated on the fourth count, with 1,704.50 and 1,295.22 votes respectively, the SDLP got over a thousand transfers and the DUP fewer than 900.

2016 Brexit referendum

Total electorate: 71,677
Turnout: 40,987 (57.2%), 17/18.
Invalid votes: 18 (0.04%)
Votes to REMAIN: 32,064 (78.3%);
Votes to LEAVE: 8,905 (21.7%).
Highest REMAIN vote share in Northern Ireland.

2016 Assembly election (six seats)

%Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin) 5,037 (12.7%)
@Colum Eastwood (SDLP) 5,000 (12.6%)
@Gary Middleton (DUP) 4,737 (11.9%)
@Mark H. Durkan (SDLP) 4,197 (10.6%)
Eamonn McCann (People Before Profit) 4,176 (10.5%)
Anne McCloskey (Independent) 3,410 (8.6%)
@Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin) 3,198 (8.1%)
Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin) 3,062 (7.7%)
@Gerard Diver (SDLP) 2,700 (6.8%)
Julia Kee (UUP) 1,420 (3.6%)
Maurice Devenney (Independent) 1,173 (3.0%)
Kathleen Bradley (Independent) 902 (2.3%)
John Lindsay (CISTA) 259 (0.7%)
Chris McCaw (Alliance) 238 (0.6%)
Mary Hassan (Green) 157 (0.4%)
Alan Dunlop (Conservative) 36 (0.1%)

@ member of the Assembly for Foyle when it was dissolved
% member of the Assembly for Mid Ulster when it was dissolved

SDLP 11897 (30.0%, -5.3%) 2 seats (-1)
Sinn Féin 11297 (28.5%, -5.5%) 2 seats
Independents 5485 (13.9%)
DUP 4737 (11.9%, -6.5%) 1 seat
People Before Profit 4176 (10.5%, +2.5%) 1 seat (+1)
UUP 1420 (3.6%)
CISTA 259 (0.7%)
Alliance 238 (0.6%, -0.3%)
Green 157 (0.4%)
Conservative 36 (0.1%)

Electorate 71,759
Turnout 40,187 (56.0%); spoilt votes 485 (1.2%)
Valid votes 39,702; quota 5,672

A splintered vote with former DUP MLA Maurice Devenney challenging on the Unionist side and two independents on the Nationalist side: most notably of all, veteran campaigner Eamonn McCann, standing for People Before Profit, beat independent Anne McCloskey for the last seat by 1167 votes, both far ahead of the incumbent SDLP MLA Gerard Diver.

2015 Westminster election

*Mark Durkan (SDLP) 17,725 (47.9%, +3.2%)
Gearóid Ó Heára (SF) 11,679 (31.6%, -0.4%)
Gary Middleton (DUP) 4,573 (12.4%, +0.5%)
Julia Kee (UUP) 1,226 (3.3%, +0.1%)
David Hawthorne (Alliance) 835 (2.3%, +1.7%)
Kyle Thompson (UKIP) 832 (2.2%)
Hamish Badenoch (Conservative) 132 (0.4%)
Electorate: 70,036; Total Poll: 37,528 (53.6%); Invalid Votes: 526 (1.4%); Valid Votes: 37,002

A good result for Durkan in the SDLP's safest seat.

In a six-seat Assembly election, these votes would give the SDLP three seats, SF two and the DUP one.

2014 local government election

From the 2011 census, Foyle includes:

The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of Ballyarnett
The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of Foyleside
The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of The Moor
The entire Derry and Strabane DEA of Waterside
76% of the Derry and Strabane DEA of Faughan.

With some adjustment for voter community background, I project the 2014 results as:

SF 11716 (34%)
SDLP 11012 (32%)
DUP 4064 (12%)
Inds 3890 (11%)
UUP 1942 (6%)
UKIP 655 (2%)
Alliance 497 (1%)
PUP 274 (1%)

If cast in a six-seat STV election, those votes would give the SDLP and SF two seats each and the DUP one.The final seat could go to an independent candidate, or to the third SDLP runner.

2011 Assembly election (six seats)

@William Hay (DUP) 7,154 (18.4%)
@Martina Anderson (SF) 6,950 (17.9%)
Mark H Durkan (SDLP) 4,970 (12.8%)
@Raymond McCartney (SF) 3,638 (9.4%)
@Pat Ramsey (SDLP) 3,138 (8.1%)
Eamonn McCann (PBPA) 3,120 (8.0%)
Colum Eastwood (SDLP) 2,967 (7.6%)
@Pol Callaghan (SDLP) 2,624 (6.8%)
Paul Fleming (SF) 2,612 (6.7%)
Paul McFadden (Independent) 1,280 (3.3%)
Keith McGrellis (Alliance) 334 (0.9%)
Terry Doherty (Independent) 60 (0.2%)

@ member of the Assembly when it was dissolved

SDLP 13,699 (35.3%, -1.7%) 3 seats
SF 13,200 (34.0%, +3.2%) 2 seats
DUP 7,154 (18.4%, +1.5%) 1 seat
PBPA 3,120 (8.0%)
Independents 1,340 (3.5%)
Alliance 334 (0.9%, +0.3%)

Electorate 68,663
Turnout 39,686 (57.8%); spoilt votes 839 (2.1%)
Valid votes 38,847; quota 5,550

With no UUP candidate, the DUP's William Hay was very comfortably elected on the first count; more than 1100 of his 1600 vote surplus then transferred to the SDLP, ensuring that their third seat was safe. However, SF are slowly closing the gap with the SDLP here, with Eamonn McCann also in the picture - though he was 960 votes behind the SDLP's Pat Ramsey for the last seat.

2011 local government election

My projection of votes cast in Derry apart from the two wards in East Londonderry:

SDLP 14,731 (38.0%)
SF 13,249 (33.0%)
DUP 5,492 (14.2%)
UUP 1,487 (3.8%)
PBPA 1,278 (3.3%)
IRSP 879 (2.3%)
Alliance 359 (0.9%)
PUP 204 (0.5%)
Inds 1,089 (2.8%)

In a six-seat STV election, these would have delivered two seats for the SDLP and SF and one for the DUP, with the sixth seat probably going to a third SDLP candidate.

2010 Westminster election (one seat)

*@Mark Durkan (SDLP) 16,922 (44.7%, -1.7%)
@Martina Anderson (Sinn Féin) 12,098 (31.9% -1.4%)
Maurice Devenney (DUP) 4,489 (11.9%, -2.2%)
Eamonn McCann (People Before Profit) 2,936 (7.8%)
David Harding (UCUNF) 1,221 (3.2%, +0.9%)
Keith McGrellis (Alliance) 223 (0.6%)
Electorate: 65,843; Total Poll: 38,190 (58.0%); Invalid Votes: 301 (0.8%); Valid Votes: 37,889

* incumbent
@ elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly from this constituency

A decent result for Durkan, with both SDLP and SF slipping a few votes to Eamonn McCann. An Assembly election on these figures would see no change in seat distribution.

2007 Assembly election (7 March, six seats)

Full details of each count are available from the Electoral Office (in PowerPoint format) here.

*William Hay (DUP) 6960 (17.0%)
*Mark Durkan MP (SDLP) 6401 (15.6%)
Martina Anderson (SF) 5414 (13.2%)
Raymond McCartney (SF) 4321 (10.5%)
*Pat Ramsey (SDLP) 3242 (7.9%)
Lynn Fleming (SF) 2914 (7.1%)
*Mary Bradley (SDLP) 2891 (7.0%)
Helen Quigley (SDLP) 2648 (6.5%)
Eamonn McCann (Socialist Environmental Alliance) 2045 (5.0%)
Peggy O'Hara (RSF) 1789 (4.4%)
Peter Munce (UUP) 1755 (4.3%)
Adele Corry (Green) 359 (0.9%)
Yvonne Boyle (Alliance) 224 (0.5%)
William Frazer (Independent Unionist) 73 (0.2%)

*Elected in 2003 from Foyle

SDLP 15,182 (37.0%, +0.9%) 3 seats
SF 12,649 (30.8%, -1.6%) 2 seats
DUP 6,960 (17.0%, +2.0%) 1 seat
SEA 2,045 (5.0%, -0.5%)
RSF 1,789 (4.4%)
UUP 4.3% (-3.9%)
Green 359 (0.9%)
Alliance 224 (0.5%, -0.01%)
Ind U 73 (0.2%)

Electorate 64,889
Votes cast 41,455 (63.9%); spoilt votes 419 (1.0%)
Valid votes 41,036; quota 5,863

SF continue to hope to overtake the SDLP here but did not manage it this time. The DUP's dominance on the Unionist side consolidated. On the last count, Bradley (SDLP) was 105 votes ahead of her party colleague Quigley, with all other votes allocated.

2005 Westminster election (5 May, 1 seat)

@Mark Durkan (SDLP) 21,119 (46.3% -3.9%)
@Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Fein) 15,162 (33.2% +6.6%)
@William Hay (DUP) 6,557 (14.4% -0.8%)
Eamonn McCann (Socialist Environmental Alliance) 1,649 (3.6%)
Earl Storey (UUP) 1,091 (2.4% -4.5%)
Ben Reel (Vote for Yourself Rainbow Dream Ticket) 31 (0.1%)

@ Member of the Assembly

Optimists in SF had been talking up their chances (including citing supposedly accurate canvass returns), but the SDLP held on to John Hume's old seat comfortably; SF grumbled that this was due to Unionist tactical voting, though if one compares with the local government elections it's clear that Durkan would have won anyway (and it's rather odd for any self-described democrat to suggest that some people's votes should count for less than others). If cast in a six-seat STV election, these votes would have elected three from the SDLP, two from SF and one from the DUP.

2005 Local Government Election (5 May)

First preference votes cast in the whole of the Derry council area were as follows:

SDLP 18467 (41.0%) Best equivalent result for the SDLP in Northern Ireland
Sinn Fein 14744 (32.7%)
DUP 7265 (16.1%)
UUP 2000 (4.4%)
SEA 1321 (2.9%)
Independents 1202 (2.7%)

If cast in a six-seat STV election, these votes would have given the SDLP three seats, SF two and the DUP one.

2003 Assembly election (26 November; six seats)

Also available: details of each count with analysis of surplus transfers.

*Mark Durkan (SDLP) 6806 (16.7%)
*William Hay (DUP) 6101 (15.0%)
*Mitchell McLaughlin (SF) 6036 (14.8%)
Raymond McCartney (SF) 3679 (9.0%)
*Mary Nelis (SF) 3499 (8.6%)
Mary Bradley (SDLP) 3345 (8.2%)
Mary Hamilton (UUP) 3322 (8.1%)
Pat Ramsey (SDLP) 2826 (6.9%)
Eamonn McCann (SEA) 2257 (5.5%)
Gerard Diver (SDLP) 1769 (4.3%)
*Annie Courtney (Ind) 802 (2.0%)
Alan Castle (Alliance) 227 (0.6%)
Danny McBrearty (Ind) 137 (0.3%)

SDLP 14,746 (36.1%, -11.7%) Best result for SDLP in Northern Ireland
SF 13,214 (32.4%, +6.4%)
DUP 6,101 (15.0%, +2.5%)
UUP 3,322 (8.1%, -1.5%)
SEA 2,257 (5.5%) Best result for SEA in Northern Ireland
Ind 939 (2.3%)
Alliance 227 (0.6%, -1.6%)

Electorate 65,303
Votes cast 41,436 (63.5%); spoilt votes 630 (1.5%)
Valid votes 40,806; quota 5,830

Reaction:Eamonn McCann's impressive performance did not however change the outcome from 1998. In the closest result of the election, Mary Nelis held her seat against running-mate Raymond McCartney by 8 votes. (She resigned on the grounds of ill health in July 2004 and was replaced as an Assembly member by McCartney.)

Foyle had lost 13.13% of its electorate in the great electoral register shake-out, varying from 18.36% in the Culmore ward of Derry to 6.34% in Banagher, also in Derry. 14 constituencies lost fewer voters, 3 lost more.

2001 Westminster Election (7 June; 1 seat)

*@John Hume (SDLP) 24,538 (50.2%) Best result in Northern Ireland
@Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Fein) 12,988 (26.6%)
@William Hay (DUP) 7,414 (15.2%)
Andrew Davidson (UUP) 3,360 (6.9%)
Colm Cavanagh (Alliance) 579 (1.2%)

Electorate: 70,943; votes cast: 49,374 (69.6%); spoilt votes: 495 (1.0%)
Valid votes: 48,879; SDLP majority 11,550

* outgoing MP
@ Member of the Assembly

A solid result for Hume in his party's best constituency. A six-seat Assembly election on these figures would give the SDLP three seats, SF two and the DUP one.

2001 Local Government Election (7 June)

First preference votes cast in the whole of the Derry council area were as follows:

SDLP 20872 (43%) Best equivalent result in Northern Ireland
SF 14547 (30%)
DUP 6874 (14%)
UUP 3069 (6%)
Alliance 436 (1%)
PUP 153 (0.3%)
Independents 2094 (4%)
Total valid votes 48045

It is easy enough to extrapolate from the local council elections because the Derry City Council district and the Foyle constituency cover identical areas. Based on these votes, the SDLP would have won three seats, Sinn Fein two and the DUP one.

1998 Assembly Election (25 June; six seats)

Also available: details of each count with analysis of surplus transfers.

*John Hume (SDLP) 12,581
William Hay (DUP) 6,112
*Mitchel McLaughlin (SF) 5,341
Jack Allen (UUP) 4,669
*Mark Durkan (SDLP) 4,423
*John Tierney (SDLP) 3,778
Mary Nelis (SF) 3,464
Annie Courtney (SDLP) 2,560
Gearoid O hEara (SF) 2,531
Lynn Fleming (SF) 1,360
Colm Cavanagh (All) 1,058
Ken Adams (Lab) 345
Brian Gurney (PUP) 287
Peter MacKenzie (Green) 253
Donn Brennan (NLP) 32

SDLP 23,342 (47.84%) 3 seats
Best result for SDLP in Northern Ireland
SF 12,696 (26.02%) 2 seats
DUP 6,112 (12.53%) 1 seat
UUP 4,669 (9.57%)
All 1,058 (2.17%)
Lab 345 (0.71%)
PUP 287 (0.59%)
Green 253 (0.52%)
NLP 32 (0.07%)

Electorate: 68,888
Votes cast: 49,604 (72.0%); spoilt votes 810 (1.6%)
Valid votes: 48,794; quota 6,971

* elected in 1996 Forum/talks election from Foyle

One of the least surprising in Northern Ireland, as the SDLP consolidated in one of their best constituencies. Jack Allen of the UUP had the fourth highest number of first preferences here, but was overtaken by the second and third SDLP runners, and by Sinn Féin's Mary Nelis, and finished on 5,698 votes to William Hay's 6,322. A total of 461 undistributed surplus votes, mainly from Sinn Féin, would not have made much difference.

1997 Local Government Election

First preference votes cast in the whole of the Derry council area were as follows:

Social Democratic and Labour Party 18,012 votes (44%) Best equivalent result for SDLP in Northern Ireland
Sinn Féin 11,394 votes (28%)
Democratic Unionist Party 5,186 votes (12%)
Ulster Unionist Party 3,595 votes (9%)
Women's Coalition 1,036 votes (3%)
Labour 348 votes (1%)
UDP 276 votes (1%)
Others 1,359 votes (3%)
Total valid votes 41,206 (60.62% of electorate)

1997 Westminster Election (one seat)

*ƒ John Hume (Social Democratic and Labour Party) 25,109 (53%)
ƒ Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin) 11,445 (24%)
William Hay (Democratic Unionist Party) 10,290 (22%)
Eileen Bell (Alliance Party of Northern Ireland) 817 (1.71%)
Donn Brennan (Natural Law Party) 154 (0.32%)
Turnout 47,815 (70.71%)

* outgoing MP
ƒ member of the Forum

1996 Forum Election (five seats)

Also available: full list of 1996 candidates

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 19,997 (44%); John Hume, Mark Durkan, John Tierney elected Best result for SDLP in Northern Ireland
Sinn Féin (SF) 11,618 (26%); Martin McGuinness, Mitchel McLaughlin elected
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) 5,054 (11%)
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) 4,553 (10%)
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) 790 (2%)
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition (NIWC) 695 (2%)
Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) 580 (1%)
Labour (Lab) 544 (1%)
Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) 497 (1%)
United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP) 324 (1%)
Green Party 191 (0.42%)
Conservative Party (Con) 92 (0.20%)
Workers Party (WP) 81 (0.18%)
Ulster Independence Movement (UIM) 65 (0.14%)
Natural Law Party (NLP) 41 (0.09%)
Democratic Left (DL) 40 (0.09%)
Independent Chambers 22 (0.05%)

Electorate: 66,598; votes cast: 45,308 (68.0%); spoilt votes: 124 (0.2%); valid votes: 45,184

Hume was elected to the old Northern Ireland House of Commons representing Foyle in 1969; he was then elected to the 1973 Assembly, the 1975 Constitutional Convention, and (as was McGuinness) the 1982 Assembly, in all cases for Londonderry.

Results Table

	DUP	UUP	Oth U	Alliance	Oth	SDLP	SF
2007a	17%	4%	0%	1%	10%	37%	31%
2005w	14%	2%			4%	46%	33%
2005lg	16%	4%			6%	41%	33%
2003a	15%	8%		1%	8%	36%	32%
2001w	15%	7%		1%		50%	27%
2001lg	14%	6%	0%	1%	4%	43%	30%
1998a	13%	10%	1%	2%	1%	48%	26%
1997lg	12%	9%	1%		6%	44%	28%
1997w	22%			2%	0%	53%	22%
1996f	11%	10%	3%	2%	2%	44%	26%

Other sites based at ARK: ORB (Online Research Bank) | CAIN (Conflict Archive on the INternet) | Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey

Your comments, please! Send an email to me at nicholas.whyte@gmail.com.

This page has been developed with the support of a project grant from the New Initiatives Fund of the Electoral Commission. However, any views expressed on this page or, in particular, other pages of this website are those of the author and not necessarily shared by The Electoral Commission.

Nicholas Whyte, 3 June 1998; last updated 7 May 2022 by Conal Kelly.

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