Politics

East Derry result: Claire Sugden first Independent to reach Stormont three times

Three women elected as many female MLAs lose seats elsewhere

Independent Claire Sugden with her husband Andrew Anderson at the count centre in Magherafelt, Co Derry. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Independent Claire Sugden with her husband Andrew Anderson at the count centre in Magherafelt, Co Derry. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Brian Hutton
Sat May 07 2022 - 20:30

“I made history,” beamed Claire Sugden, arms aloft in the Magherafelt count centre.

The transfer-friendly former justice minister, returned in East Derry, has become the first Independent – and now longest-serving MLA – to be elected to the Stormont Assembly three times.

The added significance of that achievement on a weekend which has seen so many women MLAs lose their seats was not lost on Sugden.

She said: “I am so sorry to see so many great women losing their seats today . Your contribution has been incredible and Northern Ireland is much better for it.”

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At the end of counting in the constituency, which stretches from the Sperrins to the Atlantic, on Saturday evening, a majority of those elected in the five-seater were women: Caoimhe Archibald, Cara Hunter and Sugden.

[ Live results hub: View all the latest results for every constituency here ]

Sinn Fein’s outgoing MLA Archibald topped the poll on 6,868 votes, but was well shy of the 7,394 quota on the first count.

But first across the line was DUP stalwart Maurice Bradley, with transfers making up the difference to his 6,786 first preferences late on Friday evening.

The slow pace of the count continued on Saturday, before a welter of elections in quick succession.

The DUP’s Alan Robinson kept his 80-year-old father George’s seat in the family, maintaining the party’s two seats in East Derry. “They don’t make them like George any more,” his son said in tribute during his winning speech.

It was not until the tenth count that Hunter was elected for the SDLP, without meeting the quota. Hunter was returned to the seat she was co-opted on to after the death of popular representative John Dallat in 2020.

Last year she revealed she was diagnosed with a “life-altering” brain tumour. After securing her seat she too paid tribute to all the women who had stood, win or lose.

Sinn Féin had been hopeful at one stage of winning a second seat, with Kathleen McGurk building on 4,500 first preferences, but she was ultimately eliminated. The Alliance Party’s Chris McCaw also polled reasonably, with 3,338 first preferences.

Five seats filled: Maurice Bradley (DUP), Alan Robinson (DUP), Caoimhe Archibald (Sinn Féin), Claire Sugden (Independent), Cara Hunter (SDLP).