Donaldson retains seat with increased majority

Lagan Valley DUP Candidate Jeffrey Donaldson MLA and supporters ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1514-222EB

Jeffrey Donaldson has retained his Lagan Valley seat with an increased majority.

Lagan Valley was the first Northern Ireland constituency to declare its result at 1.20am.

Speaking after the result Mr. Donaldson thanked his voters and vowed to do his best for all the people of the constituency.

He also thanked his election agent Uel Mackin and the DUP team in the area, especially the four MLAs.

The re-elected MP said he and his party did not take the people of Lagan Valley for granted and worked hard for them, not just at election time but day after day throughout the years.

Mr Donaldson increased his majority by almost 2,500 with a total vote of 19,055.

The UUP’s Alex Redpath polled a total of 6,055 to finish in second place in the poll.

Alliance candidate Trevor Lunn finished in third place with a total of 5,544 votes.

Pat Catney increased the SDLP vote while the TUV vote (Samuel Morrison) dropped, possible to the benefit of UKIP’s Alan Love who will be happy with his 2,200 votes.