'Tactical' votes for Paisley - O'Loan

He said: “Of course the actual votes for both the SDLP and Sinn Fein dropped on account of three Glens wards, including Cushendall, Waterfoot and Cushendun, moving into East Antrim under boundary changes. Also I am reliably told that SDLP supporters voted tactically for Ian Paisley on this occasion to ensure that Jim Allister did not win. I cannot quantify the effect of that on our vote, but it was a real factor."

"The vote for the nationalist parties was only 21% of the total,” he continued.

“This is a long way short of the actual nationalist support in the constituency, and can only be explained by the tactical voting issue and by stay-at-homes. Clearly there is work to be done there in getting the vote out."

"As I said in my speech at the Election Count, the big news of this election in North Antrim was that the Unionist rejectionists have been rejected. The TUV onslaught failed dismally. This bodes very well for the future,” said Mr O’Loan.

“Unionism has been very unsure of itself. If it chooses to do so, it can now move forward in confidence in partnership with nationalism. I very much hope that this will be the case. That will enable us to build a shared society, and use it as the foundation to deal with the practical problems with our economy, our health service and our education system.

“I call on the DUP to show that confidence and use the mandate that they have been given,” said Mr O’Loan who extended thanks to those who voted for him or who helped with the SDLP campaign.