Everything Ulster - Election 2005

NORTH Belfast is the last constituency left to cover in the Westminster Focus series. Here, Nigel Dodds seems firm favourite, after a dramatic win from the Ulster Unionists in 2001. The population of North Belfast is one of the smallest in Northern Ireland with 86,066 and that includes some areas of the Newtownabbey Borough Council area (most of the Macedon ward which includes Rathcoole). Nearly 45% of the population are Catholic by background and Sinn Fein's vote has grown steadily since 1996 without the SDLP's changing much.

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SOUTH Antrim, with a population of 99,810 which is just under 30% Catholic, will be a seat to watch for Unionists in this election. David Burnside will be defending the seat he won, from 8 month MP Rev Willie McCrea, in 2001. The seat takes in Antrim District Council, which is largely rural, and also includes Antrim Line (Glengormley) and Ballyclare DEAs from Newtownabbey Borough Council.

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SOUTH Belfast is one of the older seats in Northern Ireland, in fact in one form or another it has been around since the birth of Northern Ireland in 1921 and further even as far back as the 19th century. South Belfast, with a population of ~ 95,000, is currently held by Martin Smyth of the Ulster Unionists who is stepping down this year after 23 years as MP for the constituency. As well as the southern quarter of Belfast City Council, it also takes in a little bit of the Castlereagh District Council area. With a potentially evenly split Unionist vote, and a 40% Catholic population, this seat should be one to watch.

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NEWRY & Armagh constituency is made up of the Armagh District Council area and the west part of Newry & Mourne. Seamus Mallon has been MP for the area since he defeated Ulster Unionist Jim Nicholson (now MEP for NI) in 1986, but is stepping down after 19 years of service. The population of Newry & Armagh is 100,950 as of 2001 and is two-thirds Catholic.

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THE constituency of Strangford is a safe Unionist seat, with a Catholic population of only 15% (the total population being 98,158 in 2001). Iris Robinson of the DUP will be defending the seat she won here with 42.8% of the vote in 2001 (although David McNarry of the UUP was only 2.5% behind on 10.3%). The consituency includes the Ards peninsula as well as Saintfield (part of Down District Council) and parts of Castlereagh District Council.

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