Strangford (UK Parliament constituency)

For other constituencies of the same name, see Strangford (disambiguation).

Strangford
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Strangford2024Constituency
Strangford as of 2024
Major settlementsNewtownards, Comber
Current constituency
Created1983
Member of ParliamentJim Shannon (DUP)
Created fromNorth Down, Belfast South and Belfast East[1]

Strangford (Irish: Loch Cuan, Ulster Scots: Strangfurd) is a parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons.

The current MP is Jim Shannon (DUP).

Constituency profile

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Strangford covers the settlements either side of Strangford Lough.

In 2024, for the first time, the town of Strangford is included in the constituency due to boundary changes, after previously being in South Down.

The seat is strongly unionist, and one of 7 areas of Northern Ireland which voted to leave the European Union.[2]

Boundaries

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The seat was created after boundary changes in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from parts of North Down. At its creation the constituency was formed from the local government district of Ards, and the Castlereagh districts of Beechill, Fourwinds, Hillfoot, Lower Braniel, Minnowburn, Moneyreagh, Newtownbreda, and Upper Braniel.[3]

In 1995, the Commission controversially recommended abolishing the constituency and dividing it between North Down and new constituencies of Mid Down, and Castlereagh and Newtownards. This was successfully opposed in local enquiries and from the 1997 general election it was made up of parts of the districts of Ards, Castlereagh and Down.

For the 2010 general election the electoral wards which made up the constituency were:[4]

  • Ballygowan, Ballyrainey, Ballywalter, Ballyhalbert, Bradshaw's Brae, Carrowdore, Central, Comber East, Comber North, Comber West, Glen, Gregstown, Killinchy, Kircubbin, Lisbane, Loughries, Movilla, Portaferry, Portavogie, Scrabo and Whitespots, from the Ards district.
  • From the Down district; Ballymaglave, Ballynahinch East, Derryboy, Killyleagh, Kilmore and Saintfield
  • The Moneyreagh ward from Castlereagh district

For the 2024 general election, boundaries changed. The current electoral wards are:[5]

Constituency Ward
Strangford Ballynahinch
Ballyward-Strangford
Crossgar and Killyleagh
Derryboy
Drumaness
Kilmore
Quoile-Strangford
Strangford-Strangford
Ballygowan
Ballywalter
Carrowdore-Strangford
Comber North
Comber South
Comber West
Conway Square
Cronstown
Glen
Gregstown
Killinchy
Kircubbin
Loughries-Strangford
Movilla
Portaferry
Portavogie
Scrabo
West Winds

History

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For the history of the equivalent constituencies prior to 1950 please see Down (UK Parliament constituency) and from 1950 until 1983, please see North Down.

The constituency has been represented by Unionist candidates since it was formed. There have not been significant votes for parties outside the traditional unionist block, although the Alliance has saved its deposit in every election.

The main interest in elections has been the contest between the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Until 2001, the UUP were clearly ahead of the DUP in the Westminster elections, but elections to regional assemblies and local government were much closer. In 2001 the sitting MP John Taylor stood down and the contest to succeed him was fierce. The seat was won by Iris Robinson for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the subsequent 2003 assembly election saw the DUP increase their vote further.

Members of Parliament

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The first Member of Parliament for the seat was John Taylor of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). After the 2001 general election, he was succeeded by Iris Robinson (the wife of Peter Robinson) of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Robinson resigned in January 2010 after a scandal involving financial dealings.[6] However, no by-election was held, as the next general election was held in May. Jim Shannon (DUP) has held the seat since 2010.

Election Member[7] Party
1983 John Taylor Ulster Unionist
2001 Iris Robinson Democratic Unionist*
2010 Jim Shannon

* Note: Iris Robinson left the DUP shortly before taking Chiltern Hundreds to leave the Commons. The seat was vacant from 13 January 2010 until the general election on 6 May 2010.

Election results

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Strangford Westminster Election Results 1983-2024

Elections in the 2020s

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General election 2024: Strangford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 15,559 40.0 −0.5
Alliance Michelle Guy 10,428 26.8 +0.6
UUP Richard Smart 3,941 10.1 +0.9
TUV Ron McDowell 3,143 8.1 New
Sinn Féin Noel Sands 2,793 7.2 −0.4
SDLP Will Polland 1,783 4.6 −5.4
Green (NI) Alexandra Braidner 703 1.8 ±0.0
Independent Garreth Falls 256 0.7 New
Independent Gareth Burns 157 0.4 New
NI Conservatives Barry Hetherington 146 0.4 −3.0
Majority 5,131 13.2 −5.6
Turnout 38,909 52.2 −4.6
Registered electors 74,525
DUP hold Swing -0.55

Elections in the 2010s

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General election 2019: Strangford[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 17,705 47.2 ―14.8
Alliance Kellie Armstrong 10,634 28.4 +13.7
UUP Phillip Smith 4,023 10.7 ―0.7
SDLP Joe Boyle 1,994 5.3 ―0.9
NI Conservatives Grant Abraham 1,476 3.9 +2.6
Green (NI) Maurice Macartney 790 2.1 +0.5
Sinn Féin Ryan Carlin 555 1.5 ―1.3
UKIP Robert Stephenson 308 0.8 New
Majority 7,071 18.8 ―28.5
Turnout 37,485 56.0 ―4.4
Registered electors 66,938
DUP hold Swing ―14.3
General election 2017: Strangford[9][10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 24,036 62.0 +17.6
Alliance Kellie Armstrong 5,693 14.7 +0.9
UUP Mike Nesbitt 4,419 11.4 ―2.9
SDLP Joe Boyle 2,404 6.2 ―0.7
Sinn Féin Carole Murphy 1,083 2.8 +0.2
Green (NI) Ricky Bamford 607 1.6 New
NI Conservatives Claire Hiscott 507 1.3 ―5.1
Majority 18,343 47.3 +17.2
Turnout 38,749 60.4 +7.6
Registered electors 64,327
DUP hold Swing +8.4
General election 2015: Strangford[11][12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 15,053 44.4 ―1.5
UUP Robert Burgess 4,868 14.3 ―13.5
Alliance Kellie Armstrong 4,687 13.8 +5.1
SDLP Joe Boyle 2,335 6.9 +0.2
UKIP Joe Jordan[13] 2,237 6.6 New
NI Conservatives Johnny Andrews[14] 2,167 6.4 New
TUV Stephen Cooper 1,701 5.0 ―0.6
Sinn Féin Sheila Bailie 876 2.6 ―1.0
Majority 10,185 30.1 +12.0
Turnout 33,924 52.8 ―0.9
Registered electors 64,289
DUP hold Swing +6.0
General election 2010: Strangford[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Jim Shannon 14,926 45.9 ―8.8
UCU-NF Mike Nesbitt 9,050 27.8 +2.6
Alliance Deborah Girvan 2,828 8.7 +0.5
SDLP Claire Hanna 2,164 6.7 ±0.0
TUV Terry Williams 1,814 5.6 New
Sinn Féin Michael Coogan 1,161 3.6 ―0.1
Green (NI) Barbara Haig 562 1.7 New
Majority 5,876 18.1 ―17.4
Turnout 32.505 53.7 ―3.4
Registered electors 60,539
DUP hold Swing ―7.6

Elections in the 2000s

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General election 2005: Strangford[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Iris Robinson 20,921 56.5 +13.7
UUP Gareth McGimpsey 7,872 21.3 ―19.0
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 3,332 9.0 +2.3
SDLP Joe Boyle 2,496 6.7 +0.6
NI Conservatives Terry Dick 1,462 3.9 New
Sinn Féin Dermot Kennedy 949 2.6 +0.4
Majority 13,049 35.2 +32.7
Turnout 37,032 53.6 ―6.3
Registered electors 68,570
DUP hold Swing +16.4
General election 2001: Strangford[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Iris Robinson 18,532 42.8 +12.6
UUP David McNarry 17,422 40.3 ―4.0
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 2,902 6.7 ―6.4
SDLP Danny McCarthy 2,646 6.1 ―0.6
Sinn Féin Liam Johnston 930 2.2 +1.0
NI Unionist Cedric Wilson 822 1.9 New
Majority 1,110 2.5 N/A
Turnout 43,254 59.9 +0.4
Registered electors 72,192
DUP gain from UUP Swing ―8.3

Elections in the 1990s

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General election 1997: Strangford[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John David Taylor 18,431 44.3 ―4.7
DUP Iris Robinson 12,579 30.2 +10.3
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 5,467 13.1 ―3.0
SDLP Peter O'Reilly 2,775 6.7 New
NI Conservatives Gilbert Chalk 1,743 4.2 ―10.0
Sinn Féin Garret O'Fachtna 503 1.2 New
Natural Law Sarah Mullins 121 0.3 ―0.4
Majority 5,852 14.1 ―15.0
Turnout 41,619 59.5 ―5.5
Registered electors 70,073
UUP hold Swing ―7.6
Notional 1992 Election Result: Strangford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP N/A 20,473 49.0 N/A
DUP N/A 8,295 19.9 N/A
Alliance N/A 6,736 16.1 N/A
NI Conservatives N/A 5,945 14.2 N/A
Others N/A 295 0.7 N/A
Majority 12,178 29.1 N/A
General election 1992: Strangford[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John David Taylor 19,517 43.6 ―32.3
DUP Sammy Wilson 10,606 23.7 New
Alliance Kieran McCarthy 7,585 16.9 ―3.4
NI Conservatives Stephen John Arthur Eyre 6,782 15.1 New
Natural Law David Shaw 295 0.7 New
Majority 8,911 19.9 ―35.7
Turnout 44,785 65.0 +7.4
Registered electors 68,901
UUP hold Swing

Elections in the 1980s

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General election 1987: Strangford[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John David Taylor 28,199 75.9 +27.1
Alliance Addie Morrow 7,553 20.3 +4.5
Workers' Party Imelda Elizabeth Hynds 1,385 3.7 New
Majority 20,646 55.6 +36.8
Turnout 37,137 57.6 ―7.3
Registered electors 64,429
UUP hold Swing
1986 Strangford by-election[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John David Taylor 32,627 94.2 +45.4
"For the Anglo-Irish Agreement" "Peter Barry" (Wesley Robert Williamson)[22] 1,993 5.8 New
Majority 30,634 88.4 +69.6
Turnout 34,620 55.0 ―9.9
Registered electors 62,854
UUP hold Swing
General election 1983: Strangford[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP John David Taylor 19,086 48.8
DUP Simpson Gibson 11,716 30.0
Alliance Addie Morrow 6,171 15.8
SDLP James Curry 1,713 4.4
Independent Labour Samuel Raymond Heath 430 1.1
Majority 7,370 18.8
Turnout 39,116 64.9
Registered electors 60,179
UUP win (new seat)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "'Strangford', June 1983 up to May 1997". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing Limited. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  2. ^ Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Strangford
  3. ^ Crewe, Ivor (1983). British Parliamentary Constituencies – A Statistical Companion. faber and faber. ISBN 0-571-13236-7.
  4. ^ The Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 National Archives
  5. ^ "The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland - EONI". www.eoni.org.uk. 3 June 2024 Total Electorate (XLS). Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  6. ^ Iris Robinson 'to step down as MP and MLA next week' BBC News, 9 January 2010
  7. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "S" (part 5)
  8. ^ "Strangford Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Election of a Member of Parliament for the STRANGFORD Constituency - Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll". Electoral Office of Northern Ireland. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Election 2017 Results - Election Polling". www.electionpolling.co.uk.
  11. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  12. ^ "The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland - EONI". www.eoni.org.uk.
  13. ^ "Joe Jordan and Robert Hill join Ukip in Northern Ireland". BBC News. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Tories pick Andrews as Westminster candidate for Strangford". NI Conservatives. 21 October 2014.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  20. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ^ "By-election Result". United Kingdom Election Results.
  22. ^ Nicholas Whyte (13 May 2003). "Westminster by-elections, 23 January 1986". Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  23. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
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