Dunlop fears election results reflect ‘more divided’ society

The make-up of the new Mid and East Antrim Council is a reflection of a more divided society, in the opinion of an Alliance Party stalwart.
Ballymena sitting Councillor Jayne Dunlop was chosen to represent Alliance as a candidate in Ballymena town while Philip Burnside will stand for the party in Bannside.Ballymena sitting Councillor Jayne Dunlop was chosen to represent Alliance as a candidate in Ballymena town while Philip Burnside will stand for the party in Bannside.
Ballymena sitting Councillor Jayne Dunlop was chosen to represent Alliance as a candidate in Ballymena town while Philip Burnside will stand for the party in Bannside.

Jayne Dunlop, speaking after the count on Saturday, frankly admitted how disppointing the local result has been for Alliance.

“Sadly we have no candidates elected in the general Ballymena area however, the two new candidates Philip Burnside and Daniel Donnelly performed well in their first election in Bannside and Braid,” she said.

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Councillor Dunlop added: “I had hoped to do better in this election after working for the people of Ballymena in council for the past three years, however my personal disappointment is overshadowed by my frustration that the new council reflects a more divided society.

“I hope that the new councillors will focus on local issues and not get side tracked by sectional and divisive politics. In the meantime I have ten months left in Ballymena Borough Council and more work to do before I finish in March 2015. “

“Thank you to all those who voted Alliance in this election, it shows that there are people in Ballymena who can see beyond a divided society although achieving a shared future is proving to be a painfully slow and frustrating process.”