2023 Derry City and Strabane District Council election

Last updated
2023 Derry City and Strabane District Council election
Flag placeholder.svg
←  2019
18 May 2023
2027 →
All 40 council seats
21 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond partyThird party
  Michelle O'Neill (cropped from Martin McGuinness, Michelle O'Neill, Mary Lou McDonald and Gerry Adams).jpg
Colum Eastwood MLA.JPG
Official portrait of Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson crop 2.jpg
Leader Michelle O'Neill [n 1] Colum Eastwood Jeffrey Donaldson
Party Sinn Féin SDLP DUP
Last election11117
Seats won18105
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 7Decrease2.svg 1Decrease2.svg 2
Popular vote24,65812,6897,955
Percentage38.7%19.9%12.5%
SwingIncrease2.svg10.6%Decrease2.svg5.5%Decrease2.svg2.2%
 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 
Doug Beattie.png
Eamonn McCann (cropped).jpg
Leader Doug Beattie Eamonn McCann [n 2]
Party UUP Independent People Before Profit
Last election242
Seats won331
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 1Decrease2.svg 1Decrease2.svg 1
Popular vote5,3934,9273,320
Percentage8.5%7.7%5.2%
SwingIncrease2.svg1.7%Decrease2.svg4.9%Decrease2.svg 0.7%
Derry City and Strabane District Council Election 2023.svg
Derry and Strabane 2019 Council Election Results by DEA (Shaded by plurality of FPVs)
Council control before election

No overall control

Council control after election

Sinn Fein Largest Party

The 2023 election to Derry City and Strabane District Council was held on 18 May 2023, alongside other local elections in Northern Ireland, two weeks after local elections in England. [2] The Northern Ireland elections were delayed by 2 weeks to avoid overlapping with the coronation of King Charles III. [3]

Contents

The election returned 40 members to the council via Single Transferable Vote.

Election results

Derry City and Strabane District Council Election Result 2023
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Sinn Féin 1870Increase2.svg 745.0038.7324,658Increase2.svg10.62
  SDLP 1001Decrease2.svg 125.0019.9312,689Decrease2.svg 5.54
  DUP 502Decrease2.svg 212.5012.497,955Decrease2.svg 2.21
  UUP 310Increase2.svg 17.508.475,393Increase2.svg 1.67
  Independent 301Decrease2.svg 17.507.744,927Decrease2.svg 4.87
  People Before Profit 101Decrease2.svg 12.505.223,320Decrease2.svg 0.69
  Alliance 002Decrease2.svg 20.004.472,849Decrease2.svg 0.23
  Aontú 001Decrease2.svg 10.002.951,878Increase2.svg 1.25
Total4063,669

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

Districts summary

Results of the 2023 Derry City and Strabane District Council election
by district
District Electoral Area (DEA)%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
%
Cllrs
Total
cllrs
Sinn Féin SDLP DUP UUP PBP Alliance Independents and others
Ballyarnett45.43Increase2.svg 133.53Steady2.svg0.00 Steady2.svg0.00 Steady2.svg7.50 Steady2.svg4.50 Steady2.svg9.10 Decrease2.svg 16
Derg45.43Increase2.svg 18.50 Decrease2.svg 119.51Steady2.svg16.11Steady2.svg1.30 Steady2.svg2.10 Steady2.svg7.10 Steady2.svg5
Faughan29.12Increase2.svg 118.91Steady2.svg20.31Decrease2.svg 115.81Increase2.svg 13.80 Steady2.svg8.60 Decrease2.svg 13.40 Steady2.svg5
Foyleside41.32Increase2.svg 135.42Steady2.svg0.00 Steady2.svg0.00 Steady2.svg13.71Steady2.svg3.70 Steady2.svg5.90 Decrease2.svg 15
Sperrin40.43Increase2.svg 111.41Steady2.svg18.31Decrease2.svg 14.10 Steady2.svg1.90 Steady2.svg3.20 Steady2.svg20.72Steady2.svg7
The Moor44.63Increase2.svg 116.31Steady2.svg0.00 Steady2.svg0.00 Steady2.svg7.80 Decrease2.svg 12.00 Steady2.svg29.31Steady2.svg5
Waterside27.22Increase2.svg 119.02Steady2.svg22.82Steady2.svg20.61Steady2.svg3.60 Steady2.svg6.90 Decrease2.svg 10.00 Steady2.svg7
Total38.7318Increase2.svg 719.9310Decrease2.svg 112.495Decrease2.svg 28.473Increase2.svg 15.221Decrease2.svg 14.470Decrease2.svg 210.693Decrease2.svg 240

District results

Ballyarnett

2019: 3 x SDLP, 2 x Sinn Féin, 1 x Aontú

2023: 3 x Sinn Féin, 3 x SDLP

2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin gain from Aontú

Ballyarnett - 6 seats [4] [5]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
123456
Sinn Féin Sandra Duffy*22.22%2,164     
SDLP Rory Farrell*14.43%1,405     
Sinn Féin John McGowan* †13.34%1,2991,601.05    
Sinn Féin Pat Murphy9.86%9601,256.10 1,289.65 1,474.93  
SDLP Brian Tierney* ‡‡10.33%1,0061,057.80 1,128.50 1,136.42 1,165.70 1,338.70
SDLP Catherine McDaid8.79%856896.25 1,052.80 1,059.04 1,086.40 1,318.40
Aontú Emmet Doyle*9.11%887909.40 944.45 945.89 955.73 1,147.73
People Before Profit Damien Doherty7.46%727745.20 852.45 855.33 869.25  
Alliance Colm Cavanagh4.48%436457.35     
Electorate: 19,139  Valid: 9,740 (50.89%)  Spoilt: 189  Quota: 1,392  Turnout: 9.929 (51.88%)  

    Derg

    2019: 2 x Sinn Féin, 1 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x SDLP

    2023: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x DUP, 1 x UUP

    2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin gain from SDLP

    Derg - 5 seats [4] [6]
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    12345
    DUP Keith Kerrigan*19.52%1,669    
    Sinn Féin Ruairí McHugh*16.87%1,442    
    UUP Derek Hussey*16.11%1,3771,592.88   
    Sinn Féin Antaine Ó Fearghail14.00%1,1971,197.00 1,197.28 1,255.28 1,371.56
    Sinn Féin Caroline Devine14.57%1,2461,246.14 1,246.28 1,306.28 1,342.56
    SDLP Steven Edwards*8.46%723726.78 748.20 888.74 1,151.34
    Independent Andy Patton5.93%507514.42 586.94 689.24  
    Alliance Anne Murray2.07%177178.26 207.24   
    People Before Profit Adam McGinley1.31%112112.56 120.68   
    Aontú Leza Houston1.16%9999.00 102.78   
    Electorate: 13,672  Valid: 8,549 (62.53%)  Spoilt: 111  Quota: 1,425  Turnout: 8,660 (63.33%)  

      Faughan

      2019: 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Sinn Féin, 1 x Alliance

      2023: 2 x Sinn Féin, 1 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP

      2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin and UUP gain from DUP and Alliance

      Faughan - 5 seats [4] [7]
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      123456
      UUP Ryan McCready* †15.84%1,2821,414    
      SDLP Declan Norris*11.35%919984 989.22 1,396.22  
      DUP Julie Middleton12.21%9881,016 1,032.82 1,037.82 1,659.82 
      Sinn Féin Alex Duffy*14.74%1,1931,244 1,244.58 1,325.16 1,325.16 1,326.16
      Sinn Féin Sean Fleming14.35%1,1621,201 1,201.58 1,241.58 1,242.58 1,243.48
      Alliance Rachael Ferguson*8.59%695813 826.34 947.50 962.88 1,054.88
      DUP Gary Wilkinson8.07%653685 708.20 712.78   
      SDLP Hayley Canning7.58%614682 685.48    
      People Before Profit Damien Gallagher3.83%310     
      Independent Graham Warke*3.45%279     
      Electorate: 14,532  Valid: 8,095 (55.70%)  Spoilt: 93  Quota: 1,350  Turnout: 8,188 (56.34%)  

        Foyleside

        2019: 2 x SDLP, 1 x Sinn Féin, 1 x People Before Profit, 1 x Independent

        2023: 2 x Sinn Féin, 2 x SDLP, 1 x People Before Profit

        2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin gain from Independent

        Foyleside - 5 seats [4] [8]
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        12345
        Sinn Féin Conor Heaney*25.77%1,846    
        Sinn Féin Grace Uí Niallais15.57%1,1151,635.80   
        People Before Profit Shaun Harkin*13.67%979999.65 1,074.90 1,140.15 1,239.15
        SDLP Shauna Cusack* ‡13.23%948984.75 1,072.25 1,131.35 1,200.35
        SDLP Lilian Seenoi-Barr*13.40%960988.00 1,073.40 1,130.30 1,177.30
        SDLP Stephen McCallion8.74%626638.60 672.55 734.70 777.70
        Aontú Seán Mac Cearáin5.91%423434.55 472.70 493.50  
        Alliance Danny McCloskey3.71%266275.45 307.30   
        Electorate: 13,372  Valid: 7,163 (53.57%)  Spoilt: 136  Quota: 1,194  Turnout: 7,299 (54.58%)  

          Sperrin

          2019: 2 x Sinn Féin, 2 x DUP, 2 x Independent, 1 x SDLP

          2023: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 2 x Independent

          2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin gain from DUP

          Sperrin - 7 seats [4] [9]
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          12345678910
          Sinn Féin Paul Boggs16.87%1,993         
          Sinn Féin Fergal Leonard13.97%1,650         
          Sinn Féin Brian Harte9.52%1,1251,480.00        
          SDLP Jason Barr* ‡6.87%811847.75 896.35 924.09 953.92 1,019.53 1,174.93 1,208.93 1,569.93 
          Independent Raymond Barr*8.35%9851,014.75 1,024.11 1,053.11 1,110.65 1,157.02 1,206.45 1,217.45 1,345.06 1,414.91
          DUP Allan Bresland* †10.11%1,1941,194.00 1,194.00 1,198.00 1,200.00 1,208.00 1,217.18 1,401.18 1,412.43 1,412.98
          Independent Paul Gallagher*8.82%1,0421,065.50 1,072.52 1,079.52 1,129.17 1,164.41 1,194.95 1,198.95 1,277.64 1,297.00
          DUP Maurice Devenney*8.16%964964.00 964.18 967.18 967.43 968.43 973.43 1,201.43 1,206.43 1,208.08
          SDLP Tommy Forbes4.55%538559.50 596.58 613.71 634.50 689.86 787.75 810.93   
          UUP Glen Miller4.14%489489.25 489.43 490.43 491.43 501.43 557.43    
          Alliance Mel Boyle3.23%381390.50 407.60 411.21 451.58 488.74     
          Independent Patsy Kelly2.08%246256.75 284.83 294.73 312.09      
          People Before Profit Carol Gallagher1.91%226233.75 240.41 254.56       
          Aontú Darán Mac Meanman1.42%168169.50 182.64        
          Electorate: 19,143  Valid: 11,812 (61.70%)  Spoilt: 183  Quota: 1,477  Turnout: 11,995 (62.66%)  

            The Moor

            2019: 2 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x People Before Profit, 1 x Independent

            2023: 3 x Sinn Féin, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Independent

            2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin gain from People Before Profit

            The Moor - 5 seats [4] [10]
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            123456
            Independent Gary Donnelly*25.25%1,868     
            Sinn Féin Aisling Hutton17.80%1,317     
            SDLP John Boyle*10.29%761829.46 877.72 933.00 1,280.00 
            Sinn Féin Patricia Logue*14.45%1,0691,163.92 1,173.34 1,219.22 1,255.22 
            Sinn Féin Emma McGinley*12.33%912983.40 985.40 1,013.86 1,043.00 1,109.18
            People Before Profit Maeve O'Neill*7.81%578765.74 796.94 883.74 951.96 957.90
            SDLP Dermott Henderson6.02%445505.06 543.00 584.60   
            Aontú Darryl Christy4.07%301429.10 439.04    
            Alliance Michael Downey1.97%146161.54     
            Electorate: 13,403  Valid: 7,397 (55.19%)  Spoilt: 201  Quota: 1,233  Turnout: 7,598 (56.69%)  

              Waterside

              2019: 2 x DUP, 2 x SDLP, 1 x Sinn Féin, 1 x UUP, 1 x Alliance

              2023: 2 x Sinn Féin, 2 x DUP, 2 x SDLP, 1 x UUP

              2019–2023 Change: Sinn Féin gain from Alliance

              Waterside - 7 seats [4] [11]
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              1234567
              Sinn Féin Caitlin Deeney †17.86%1,949      
              UUP Darren Guy*16.47%1,797      
              Sinn Féin Christopher Jackson*9.34%1,0191,540.10     
              DUP Chelsea Cooke11.56%1,2621,262.30 1,316.54 1,319.54 1,320.05 1,526.05 
              DUP Niree McMorris*11.23%1,2251,225 1,279.72 1,281.72 1,282.06 1,368.06 
              SDLP Sean Mooney*9.81%1,0711,105.20 1,109.76 1,213.90 1,323.55 1,355.11 1,361.11
              SDLP Martin Reilly*9.22%1,0061,013.80 1,020.28 1,092.26 1,120.65 1,154.21 1,163.21
              Alliance Philip McKinney*6.85%748758.50 773.62 916.54 945.10 1,105.05 1,153.05
              UUP Janice Montgomery4.11%448448.30 737.50 743.46 744.82   
              People Before Profit Davina Pulvis3.56%388393.70 396.34     
              Electorate: 21,240  Valid: 10,913 (51.38%)  Spoilt: 202  Quota: 1,365  Turnout: 11,115 (52.33%)  

                Changes during the term

                † Co-options

                Date co-optedElectoral AreaPartyOutgoingCo-opteeReason
                20 October 2023Sperrin DUP Allan Bresland Gary WilkinsonBresland retired. [12]
                29 January 2024Faughan UUP Ryan McCreadyJanice MontgomeryMcCready resigned. [13]
                19 February 2024Ballyarnett Sinn Féin John McGowanAmanda ClarkeMcGowan resigned. [14]
                3 December 2025Waterside Sinn Féin Caitlin DeeneyLiz McGowanDeeney resigned. [15]

                ‡ Changes in affiliation

                DateElectoral AreaNamePrevious affiliationNew affiliationCircumstance
                30 April 2024SperrinJason Barr SDLP Independent Left the SDLP following criticisms of the party's process for selecting the next Mayor. [16]
                1 May 2024FoylesideShauna Cusack SDLP Independent Left the SDLP following criticisms of the party's process for selecting the next Mayor. [17]
                27 January 2025BallyarnettBrian Tierney SDLP Independent Suspended over soldier court reference. [18]
                16 April 2025BallyarnettBrian Tierney Independent SDLP Reinstated to the party. [19]

                Notes

                1. ↑ The leader of Sinn Féin is Mary Lou McDonald, who sits as a TD in the Irish Dáil Éireann for Dublin Central. O'Neill is the leader of the party in Northern Ireland.
                2. ↑ People Before Profit has a collective leadership but for the purposes of registration to the UK Electoral Commission Eamonn McCann is registered as the party's leader in Northern Ireland. [1]

                References

                1. ↑ "Registration Summary". The Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
                2. ↑ "Local government elections in Northern Ireland". www.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
                3. ↑ "NI council election moved to avoid coronation clash". BBC News. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
                4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Northern Ireland council election: List of all the candidates in the May 2023 poll". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
                5. ↑ "Ballyarnett". Derry City & Strabane District Council.
                6. ↑ "Derg". Derry City & Strabane District Council.
                7. ↑ "Faughan". Derry City & Strabane District Council.
                8. ↑ "Foyleside". Derry City & Strabane District Council.
                9. ↑ "Sperrin". Derry City & Strabane District Council.
                10. ↑ "Moor". Derry City & Strabane District Council.
                11. ↑ "Waterside". Derry City & Strabane District Council.
                12. ↑ "New Councillor - Sperrin DEA".
                13. ↑ "New Councillor - Faughan District Electoral Area".
                14. ↑ "New Councillor - Ballyarnett District Electoral Area".
                15. ↑ "New Councillor - Waterside District Electoral Area".
                16. ↑ "Lilian Seenoi-Barr set to make history as Derry mayor". BBC News. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
                17. ↑ "Second SDLP councillor resigns over mayor selection row". BBC News. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
                18. ↑ Hughes, Brendan (27 January 2025). "Councillor suspended over soldier court reference". BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
                19. ↑ McClafferty, Enda (16 April 2025). "Councillor who gave reference for soldier jailed for rape reinstated". BBC. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
                This page is based on this Wikipedia article
                Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
                Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.