Ringing Some Changes: The 2009 European Election in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The 2009 European election in Northern Ireland saw some noteworthy changes and developments: two of the three successful candidates were female; Sinn Féin topped the Euro‐poll for the first time; the DUP share of the vote, although second in the first ballot of the poll, was badly hit due to the campaign of a disaffected former member. The UUP candidate – replete with newly formed backing from and alliance with David Cameron’s Conservative Party – secured the other seat. In every other previous Euro‐election in Northern Ireland, the DUP had topped the poll. Though it regained its Euro‐seat from Jim Allister, it did so at a price. The TUV leader performed embarrassingly well against his former party, not least in North Antrim where he now openly coveted the Westminster seat of retiring DUP heavyweight Ian Paisley.

Keywords:

• Europe
• European elections
• Northern Ireland
• political parties

Acknowledgements

The authors, with the usual provisos, would like to acknowledge the comments made on an earlier draft by Katy Hayward, John Garry and the editors.