Sinn Fein urge ‘copy unionists’

Sinn Fein’s Daithi McKay says republican and nationalist voters should emulate their unionist counterparts when filling out a polling card.
Sinn Fein candidiate Patrice Hardy celebrates with party colleagues after being elected in the Bannside DEA on the second count. Included are Daithi McKay, Eddie Harding, Claire Higgins and Liam O'Neill. INBT22-232ACSinn Fein candidiate Patrice Hardy celebrates with party colleagues after being elected in the Bannside DEA on the second count. Included are Daithi McKay, Eddie Harding, Claire Higgins and Liam O'Neill. INBT22-232AC
Sinn Fein candidiate Patrice Hardy celebrates with party colleagues after being elected in the Bannside DEA on the second count. Included are Daithi McKay, Eddie Harding, Claire Higgins and Liam O'Neill. INBT22-232AC

He was reflecting on an election campaign which resulted in an increased show of support for Sinn Fein in the general Ballymena area.

But, he said, the party’s performance could have been even better.

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“Marian Maguire was pipped to a first seat in Ballymena town for Sinn Féin by just 42 votes after a fantastic campaign. What this demonstrates is the importance of every single vote and also the importance of transfers. We know that unionist voters tend to vote all the way down the list in elections and voters for more progressive candidates need to do the same if we are to ensure that the mandate for parties that are more regressive is not increased.

“A better transfer ratio from the SDLP in places such as Ballymoney and Ballymena would have ensured that a Sinn Féin councillor would have been returned instead of a DUP representative.”