Sinn Fein on brink of political breakthrough
SINN Fein appeared to be on the brink of a historic victory in elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly last night.
As voting continued, the nationalist party linked to the IRA was on course to top the poll and take majority control of Stormont.
The party’s deputy leader, Michelle O’Neill, would become first minister.
Ahead of the final confirmation of the result, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the vote was “about change, it’s about progress, and it’s about partnership”.
Process
Arriving at the Belfast count centre on Friday evening, Ms McDonald told reporters: “Whatever way they voted, we want to thank people for coming out and voting in part of a democratic process in what is, we believe, the election of a generation.”
She added: “We are here to serve, to work hard for everybody and we look forward to rolling our sleeves up, and getting stuck in because there’s a lot of work to do.”
However, DUP MP Ian Paisley said there would be no devolved government in Northern Ireland while issues around the Northern
Ireland Protocol remain unresolved.
Speaking at an election count centre in Jordanstown, Mr Paisley said: “I think the elephant in the room is the protocol.
“Until we get this matter fixed we can have whatever election we want but there is not going to be a government until we get that protocol issue resolved.
“Hopefully today will be a focus for the government that they have to now resolve this, not just for unionists but for everyone.”
He added: “People want the Assembly to function, I want it to function as well but it can’t function when we have this sword of Damocles hanging over us as regards the protocol.”
Some 239 candidates stood across 18 constituencies.