DUP’s Gregory Campbell retains seat but Sinn Féin make big gains in East Derry

Although DUP MP Gregory Campbell retained his seat in East Derry, the margin between him and Sinn Féin was perhaps the second biggest shock on Friday morning.

The last result declared in Northern Ireland came shortly after Ian Paisley Jnr lost his seat in North Antrim.

East Derry has been a solid unionist seat since its establishment with a comfortable majority held by Mr Campbell at each UK general election since 2001. Before that, it was an Ulster Unionist Party stronghold since its creation in 1983.

This year, however, saw Sinn Féin’s votes surge from 6,128 in 2019 to 11,327 with just 179 votes keeping Kathleen McGurk from taking Mr Campbell’s seat.

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McGurk said the result might be a shock to many, but not to those in her constituency.

“In East Derry, we set out to make history and I think we’ve done that even though we didn’t quite get it over the line this time, we have laid the foundation blocks,” she said.

Amid a backdrop of losing three seats, the seemingly closing margin of support for the DUP in East Derry is sure to add to the distress.

After the results were declared, Mr Campbell said “we live in changeable and changing times”.

“We must build a better future for our people – those we agree with, and those we disagree with. As we build up that better future, there cannot be any rewriting of the past.

“Those here in Northern Ireland advocating massive change in the political nature are doomed to failure,” he said adding: “We are where we are. Let’s show all of the people that we are up to the task of improving the lives of those we are privileged to represent.”

Ms McGurk, who spoke afterwards, said it may not be often that she agrees with her opponent, “but times are changing”.

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