Sinn Fein electoral advances in South Down

national | politics / elections | news report Friday June 20, 2003 01:18 by Killian

SF strenghten their mandate as THE voice of nationalists in six counties.

Further gains for SF in the council election on Wednesday in Crotlieve (South Down). The SF candidate topped the poll on 1st prefernces and was pipped to the seat on the last count.

The SF share of this SDLP stronghold has massively increased over the last ten years;
1993 - 5%
1997 - 17%
2001 - 26%
2003 - 35%

In contrast the SDLP are going the opposite direction, 59% in 1993 to 34% in 2003. It is a matter of time now before the extremely capable and talented Conor Murphy of Sinn Fein replaces Eddie Mc Grady as the local MP.