Everything Ulster - Election 2005

I'm sure cheers will be going up from DUP supporters all over Northern Ireland following David Trimble's announcement today that he was resigning from he Ulster Unionist Party. Trimble blamed republicans for the state of his party following yesterday's disastrous election results.

Announcing his resignation, Trimble said "I am pleased to have had the privilege of leading what I regard as the best and most democratic political grouping in Ulster."

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As promised last night, here's my thoughts on yeserday's results. Apologies for not getting more on the site, but as I explained, I was otherwise engaged from about 6:30 that night until late on. This will not be scientific, but if you want number crunching, the BBC has a summary of results.

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Lady Sylvia Hermon has become the first UUP MP elected in this election. She won over 50% of the vote in a seat in which some thought she was under threat from the DUP. This despite a lower turnout than last time by some 5%.

Her share of the vote is down just 5% with the DUP standing. The Alliance's David Alderdice also polled 7.6% to take third place and Julian Robertson polled 2.5% for the Conservatives.

Full results from the BBC.

Pat Doherty has claimed West Tyrone for Sinn Fein.

The DUP came in 3rd behind Kieran Deeney, the independent candidate, as the Ulster Unionist vote seems to have collapsed.

Full results from the BBC.

This is my last post tonight as I'm going out - I'll do a post-mortem tomorrow.

Michelle Gildernew is back in for Fermanagh South Tyrone with 18,638 votes. At the same time, the DUP's Arlene Foster (14,056 votes) beat Ulster Unionist Tom Elliot (8,869 votes) quite convincingly.

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