Belfast West (Assembly constituency)

Last updated

Belfast West
Parliamentary constituency
for the Northern Ireland Assembly
BelfastWestConstituency.svg
West Belfast shown within Northern Ireland
Current constituency
Created 1973
Seats6 (1998–2016)
5 (2017–)
MLAs
  •   Danny Baker (SF)
  •   Gerry Carroll (PBP)
  •   Órlaithí Flynn (SF)
  •   Aisling Reilly (SF)
  •   Pat Sheehan (SF)
City council Belfast City Council
Boundaries Belfast West (Assembly constituency)

Belfast West is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Contents

It was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election in 1973, which elected the then Northern Ireland Assembly. It usually shares boundaries with the Belfast West UK Parliament constituency. However, the boundaries of the two constituencies were slightly different from 1973 to 1974, 1983 to 1986 and 2010 to 2011 (because the Assembly boundaries had not caught up with Parliamentary boundary changes) and from 1996 to 1997, when members of the Northern Ireland Forum had been elected from the newly drawn Parliamentary constituencies but the 51st Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected in 1992 under the 1983–95 constituency boundaries, was still in session.

Members were then elected from the constituency to the 1975 Constitutional Convention, the 1982 Assembly, the 1996 Forum and then to the current Assembly from 1998.

For further details of the history and boundaries of the constituency, see Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency).

Members

ElectionMLA
(party)
MLA
(party)
MLA
(party)
MLA
(party)
MLA
(party)
MLA
(party)
1973 Paddy Devlin
(SDLP)
Desmond Gillespie
(SDLP)
Hugh Smyth
(Independent Unionist)
Bob Cooper
(Alliance Party)
John Laird
(UUP)
Jean Coulter
(Vanguard/UUP)
1975 Joe Hendron
(SDLP)
1982 4 seats
1982–1996
Gerry Adams
(Sinn Féin)
Will Glendinning
(Alliance)
Thomas Passmore
(UUP)
4 seats
1982–1996
1996 5 seats
1996–1998
Alex Maskey
(Sinn Féin)
Dodie McGuinness
(Sinn Féin)
Annie Armstrong
(Sinn Féin)
1998 Alex Attwood
(SDLP)
Bairbre de Brún
(Sinn Féin)
Sue Ramsey
(Sinn Féin)
2003 Diane Dodds
(DUP)
Fra McCann
(Sinn Féin)
Michael Ferguson
(Sinn Féin)
November 2004
co-option
Sue Ramsey
(Sinn Féin)
2007 Paul Maskey
(Sinn Féin)
Jennifer McCann
(Sinn Féin)
December 2010
co-option
Pat Sheehan
(Sinn Féin)
2011
July 2012
co-option
Rosie McCorley
(Sinn Féin)
November 2014
co-option
Alex Maskey
(Sinn Féin)
2016 Gerry Carroll
(PBP)
December 2016
co-option
Órlaithí Flynn
(Sinn Féin)
2017 5 seats
2017–present
October 2021
co-option
Aisling Reilly
(Sinn Féin)
2022 Danny Baker
(Sinn Féin)

Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.

Elections

Northern Ireland Assembly

2022

2022 Assembly election: Belfast West – 5 seats [1]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
1234567891011
Sinn Féin Danny Baker 20.64%9,011          
Sinn Féin Órlaithí Flynn 15.44%6,7437,087 7,093 7,109 7,136 7,159 7,159 7,160 7,228 7,407 
Sinn Féin Aisling Reilly 13.01%5,6816,709 6,720 6,727 6,745 6,759 6,761 6,761 6,812 7,131 7,664
Sinn Féin Pat Sheehan 14.59%6,3706,422 6,426 6,431 6,440 6,449 6,449 6,450 6,447 6,735 7,186
People Before Profit Gerry Carroll 7.51%3,2793,394 3,414 3,492 3,563 3,667 3,688 3,698 3,936 4,479 6,023
DUP Frank McCoubrey 9.54%4,1664,167 4,174 4,174 4,176 4,180 4,396 5,199 5,275 5,429 5,490
SDLP Paul Doherty5.79%2,5282,616 2,619 2,648 2,684 2,727 2,744 2,754 3,232 3,636  
Aontú Gerard Herdman4.01%1,7531,761 1,793 1,802 1,820 1,823 1,829 1,837 1,871   
Irish Republican Socialist Dan Murphy2.53%1,1031,115 1,123 1,130 1,144 1,152 1,152 1,152 1,159   
Alliance Donnamarie Higgins2.08%907924 926 932 940 1,027 1,109 1,135    
TUV Jordan Doran1.84%802802 805 806 809 810 918     
UUP Linsey Gibson1.09%474475 477 478 480 484      
Green (NI) Stevie Maginn0.70%307310 313 323 333       
Independent Gerard Burns0.44%192209 237 244        
Workers' Party Patrick Crossan0.44%193198 205         
Independent Tony Mallon0.30%129131          
Independent Declan Hill0.06%2626          
Electorate: 68,727  Valid: 43,664 (63.53%)  Spoilt: 776  Quota: 7,278  Turnout: 44,440 (64.66%)  

    2017

    2017 Assembly election: Belfast West – 5 seats [2]
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    1234
    Sinn Féin Órlaithí Flynn 17.15%6,918   
    People Before Profit Gerry Carroll 12.15%4,9036,514 8,252 
    Sinn Féin Alex Maskey 15.73%6,3466,451 7,036 
    Sinn Féin Fra McCann 15.37%6,2016,314 6,636 7,067
    Sinn Féin Pat Sheehan 13.55%5,4665,515 5,739 5,903
    DUP Frank McCoubrey 10.07%4,0634,372 4,490 4,521
    SDLP Alex Attwood 8.56%3,4524,019   
    People Before Profit Michael Collins2.72%1,096   
    Alliance Sorcha Eastwood 1.85%747   
    UUP Fred Rogers1.20%486   
    Workers' Party Conor Campbell1.03%415   
    Green (NI) Ellen Murray0.62%251   
    Electorate: 61,309  Valid: 40,344 (65.80%)  Spoilt: 586  Quota: 6,725  Turnout: 40,930 (66.76%)  

      2016

      2016 Assembly election: Belfast West – 6 seats [3]
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      12345678
      People Before Profit Gerry Carroll 22.88%8,299       
      Sinn Féin Alex Maskey 13.15%4,7695,360.8      
      Sinn Féin Pat Sheehan 9.69%3,5163,761.08 3,829.2 6,393.2    
      Sinn Féin Fra McCann 11.11%4,0284,283.2 4,479.48 4,756.68 5,891.73   
      Sinn Féin Jennifer McCann 12.09%4,3864,648.68 4,755.04 4,988.88 5,044.81 5,750.11  
      SDLP Alex Attwood 7.30%2,6473,407.76 4,161.36 4,234.52 4,242.98 4,245.38 4,299.08 4,430.2
      DUP Frank McCoubrey 10.38%3,7663,780.52 4,332.28 4,336.28 4,337.69 4,337.69 4,337.69 4,341.21
      Sinn Féin Rosie McCorley 8.42%3,0533,244.4 3,303.24      
      Workers' Party Conor Campbell1.47%532766.54       
      Green (NI) Ellen Murray0.90%327705.84       
      UUP Gareth Martin1.80%654668.96       
      Alliance Jemima Higgins0.80%291427.4       
      Electorate: 63,993  Valid: 36,268 (56.67%)  Spoilt: 722  Quota: 5,182  Turnout: 36,990 (57.80%)  

        2011

        2011 Assembly election: Belfast West – 6 seats [4]
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        1234567891011
        Sinn Féin Paul Maskey 15.42%5,343          
        Sinn Féin Jennifer McCann 15.12%5,239          
        Sinn Féin Fra McCann 12.93%4,4814,587.96 4,604.96 4,613.08 4,645.5 4,682.6 4,735.84 4,837.22 4,838.34 5,167.34 
        SDLP Alex Attwood 10.87%3,7653,776.69 3,780.09 3,787.09 3,890.45 3,939.62 4,083.74 4,719.58 4,780.65 5,151.65 
        Sinn Féin Sue Ramsey 11.88%4,1164,340.28 4,350.88 4,358.19 4,377.4 4,394.47 4,407.47 4,423.94 4,433.99 4,683.9 4,823.06
        Sinn Féin Pat Sheehan 10.75%3,7233,737.35 3,960.5 3,971.78 3,996.39 4,016.61 4,029.73 4,051.85 4,054.9 4,249.77 4,327.19
        DUP Brian Kingston 7.47%2,5872,587.28 2,587.33 2,587.33 2,600.45 2,604.45 2,607.45 2,617.57 3,834.57 3,866.57 3,866.57
        People Before Profit Gerry Carroll 4.79%1,6611,664.85 1,665.85 1,701.85 1,732.85 1,853.97 1,939.09 1,977.31 1,999.31   
        UUP Bill Manwaring4.25%1,4711,471.21 1,471.36 1,473.36 1,503.41 1,512.41 1,517.41 1,526.41    
        SDLP Colin Keenan2.31%802803.26 804.41 807.41 853.58 878.63 981.82     
        Workers' Party John Lowry 1.69%586586.63 587.03 590.1 607.24 644.38      
        Socialist Party Pat Lawlor1.11%384384.42 384.92 399.92 408.92       
        Alliance Dan McGuinness1.05%365367.66 368.76 370.76        
        Independent Brian Pelan0.35%122122.77 122.92         
        Electorate: 61,520  Valid: 34,645 (56.32%)  Spoilt: 973  Quota: 4,950  Turnout: 35,618 (57.90%)  

          2007

          2007 Assembly election: Belfast West – 6 seats [5]
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          123456
          Sinn Féin Gerry Adams 17.84%6,029     
          Sinn Féin Sue Ramsey 13.95%4,7155,266.6    
          Sinn Féin Paul Maskey 12.93%4,3684,758.6 4,774.05 4,783.95 4,821.8 5,074.8
          Sinn Féin Jennifer McCann 12.62%4,2654,294.8 4,665.75 4,667.7 4,693.5 4,848.5
          SDLP Alex Attwood 8.98%3,0363,148.8 3,149.7 3,196.9 3,234.9 4,779.1
          Sinn Féin Fra McCann 12.59%4,2544,323.8 4,344.95 4,353.8 4,378 4,646.85
          DUP Diane Dodds 10.83%3,6613,661 3,661.15 3,671.15 3,677.15 4,166
          SDLP Margaret Walsh3.18%1,0741,086.2 1,087.1 1,110.3 1,156.5  
          People Before Profit Seán Mitchell2.29%774789 789.6 830.4 968.8  
          UUP Louis West1.65%558558.8 558.8 579.8 581.8  
          Workers' Party John Lowry 1.28%434440 440.45 452.65 452.65  
          Republican Sinn Féin Geraldine Taylor1.26%427429 429.45 437.05   
          Alliance Dan McGuinness0.38%127132.4 133.3    
          Make Politicians History Rainbow George 0.20%6869 69    
          Electorate: 50,792  Valid: 33,790 (66.53%)  Spoilt: 448  Quota: 4,828  Turnout: 34,238 (67.41%)  

            Note: All Republican Sinn Féin candidates appeared as Independent on the ballot paper.

            2003

            2003 Assembly election: Belfast West – 6 seats [6]
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            12345678
            Sinn Féin Gerry Adams 18.87%6,199       
            SDLP Alex Attwood 11.16%3,6673,796.60 3,901.04 3,956.28 6,096.28   
            Sinn Féin Bairbre de Brún 12.39%4,0694,476.52 4,494.96 4,504.20 4,665.68 5,229.68  
            Sinn Féin Fra McCann 12.98%4,2634,337.16 4,360.88 4,363.36 4,525.00 4,905.00  
            Sinn Féin Michael Ferguson 11.72%3,8493,912.84 3,921.56 3,945.12 4,000.00 4,117.00 4,346.00 4,448.60
            DUP Diane Dodds 7.74%2,5442,544.00 2,631.00 4,144.24 4,256.24 4,272.24 4,274.24 4,277.09
            Sinn Féin Sue Ramsey 9.09%2,9883,673.20 3,699.68 3,705.92 3,768.84 3,923.84 4,084.84 4,190.29
            SDLP Joe Hendron 7.86%2,5832,654.28 2,849.72 3,108.72     
            UUP Chris McGimpsey3.56%1,1701,174.56 1,298.56      
            PUP Hugh Smyth 2.47%813814.68 862.68      
            Workers' Party John Lowry 1.24%407410.84       
            Independent John MacVicar0.64%211211.24       
            Alliance Mary Ayers0.23%7578.12       
            Independent David Kerr 0.05%1616.00       
            Electorate: 50,861  Valid: 32,854 (64.60%)  Spoilt: 673  Quota: 4,694  Turnout: 33,527 (65.92%)  

              Note: David Kerr sought election as an Ulster Third Way candidate, and appeared as such on the ballot paper.

              1998

              1998 Assembly election: Belfast West – 6 seats [7]
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              12345678910
              Sinn Féin Gerry Adams 21.72%9,078         
              SDLP Joe Hendron 14.69%6,140         
              Sinn Féin Sue Ramsey 9.44%3,9465,223.15 5,235 5,236.44 5,253.27 5,262.62 5,276.34 7,371.34  
              Sinn Féin Bairbre de Brún 11.27%4,7115,341 5,381.35 5,383.83 5,405.11 5,409.11 5,421.89 5,705.26 6,993.67 
              Sinn Féin Alex Maskey 10.36%4,3304,831.2 4,852.35 4,856.41 4,889.2 4,901.27 4,909.82 5,242.2 5,324.61 6,328.43
              SDLP Alex Attwood 10.24%4,2804,647.85 4,738.25 4,838.85 5,117.87 5,127.22 5,234.49 5,327.61 5,343.69 5,349.52
              UUP Chris McGimpsey3.92%1,6401,641.4 1,674.4 1,675.58 1,808.99 2,757.44 4,827.29 4,837.64 4,837.64 4,837.64
              Sinn Féin Michael Ferguson 6.19%2,5852,791.85 2,838.45 2,840.71 2,867.12 2,871.84 2,896.95    
              PUP Hugh Smyth 5.22%2,1802,186.65 2,206.75 2,208.63 2,342.94 2,716.06     
              DUP Margaret Ferris3.22%1,3451,347.8 1,354.5 1,354.8 1,784.22      
              UK Unionist Thomas Dalzell-Sheridan1.59%666671.25 677.25 677.37       
              Workers' Party John Lowry 1.45%607630.1 658.8 660.68       
              Alliance Dan McGuinness0.31%129165.4         
              Independent Mary Cahillane0.31%128151.8         
              Natural Law Michael Kennedy0.07%2931.45         
              Electorate: 60,669  Valid: 41,794 (68.89%)  Spoilt: 960  Quota: 5,971  Turnout: 42,754 (70.47%)  

                Note: Mary Cahillane sought election as a Pro-Agreement Socialist candidate, and appeared as such on the ballot paper.

                1996 forum

                Successful candidates are shown in bold. [8]

                PartyCandidate(s)VotesPercentage
                Sinn Féin Gerry Adams
                Dodie McGuinness
                Alex Maskey
                Annie Armstrong

                Marie Moore
                22,35553.4
                SDLP Joe Hendron
                Alex Attwood
                Margaret Walsh
                Patricia Lewsley
                Mary Muldoon
                11,08726.5
                PUP Hugh Smyth
                Mina Wardle
                1,9824.7
                DUP Eric Smyth
                Margaret Ferris
                1,7694.2
                UUP Fred Parkinson
                John McDonald
                1,4893.6
                Workers' Party John Lowry
                Jim Pollock
                9842.4
                Ulster Democratic Frank McCoubrey
                Delwyn Williams
                8482.0
                Alliance Dan McGuinness
                Patricia Mallon
                Glyn Roberts
                3400.8
                Labour coalition Mary Cahillane
                Isabel Cowan
                Barbara Lynn
                Brian McDermott
                Terence McDonagh
                3190.8
                NI Women's Coalition Vera McKee
                Mary Catney
                Ann Hall
                Julie Cullen
                2520.6
                Green (NI) Jude Stephens
                Philip Kearney
                David Taylor
                1560.4
                NI Conservatives Charles Balmer
                David Munster
                600.1
                Independent DUP Florence Baxter
                William Clements
                360.1
                Ulster Independence Kenneth McClinton
                Clifford Peoples
                430.1
                Democratic Left Mary McMahon
                Freddie Rea
                370.1
                Natural Law Michael Kennedy
                Vivien Martin
                300.1
                Communist Barry Bruton
                Daniella Egerton
                280.1
                Independent VoiceBernard McGrath
                Susan McGrath
                260.1
                Independent Chambers Ruth Patty
                Richard Stewart
                120.0

                1982

                1982 Assembly election: Belfast West – 4 seats [9]
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                12345678
                Sinn Féin Gerry Adams 28.43%9,740       
                SDLP Joe Hendron 15.20%5,2075,309.3 6,003.3 7,965.3    
                UUP Thomas Passmore 13.15%4,5054,505 4,509 5,128 5,130 5,131.86 5,151.79 5,165.55
                Alliance Will Glendinning 7.98%2,7332,764.5 2,805.1 2,847.1 3,072.7 3,651.16 4,525.99 5,163.2
                DUP Billy Dickson 12.83%4,3944,396.1 4,399.1 4,849.4 4,866.4 4,869.09 4,892.81 4,918.6
                Sinn Féin Alex Maskey 1.83%6273,240 3,326.2 3,326.2 3,397.6 3,565.93 3,824.22  
                Workers' Party Mary McMahon7.28%2,4932,512.8 2,566.9 2,580.9 2,662.8 3,017.13   
                SDLP Cormac Boomer6.26%2,1452,204.4 2,452.5 2,454.5     
                PUP Hugh Smyth 3.66%1,2551,255.3 1,256.3      
                SDLP Mary Muldoon2.97%1,0161,024.1       
                People's Democracy John McAnulty0.42%144161.1       
                Electorate: 57,726  Valid: 34,259 (59.35%)  Spoilt: 1,819  Quota: 6,852  Turnout: 36,078 (62.50%)  

                  1975 Constitutional Convention

                  1975 Constitutional Convention: Belfast West – 6 seats [10]
                  PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                  12345678
                  UUP John Laird 23.61%8,433       
                  SDLP Paddy Devlin 17.54%6,267       
                  UUP Jean Coulter 6.51%2,3254,209.48 4,209.48 4,226.65 4,235.65 5,710.65  
                  Alliance Bob Cooper 9.22%3,2933,362.81 3,495.11 3,679.76 4,341.58 4,428.25 4,472.89 4,915.13
                  SDLP Joe Hendron 7.95%2,8402,841.56 3,058.82 3,180.76 3,607.5 3,611.04 3,611.66 4,901.95
                  Ind. Unionist Hugh Smyth 7.40%2,6443,235.63 3,236.35 3,252.92 3,256.31 4,127.8 4,684.56 4,693.55
                  SDLP Desmond Gillespie 5.56%1,9861,988.73 2,506.59 2,652.23 3,254.1 3,257.1 3,257.72 4,513.76
                  SDLP Paschal O'Hare 6.86%2,4522,453.95 2,578.87 2,691.07 3,115.67 3,118.63 3,121.11  
                  DUP Edith Goligher5.48%1,9582,668.19 2,669.63 2,686.41 2,688.59    
                  Ind. Nationalist Thomas Conaty5.74%2,0522,052.78 2,133.96 2,302.18     
                  Republican Clubs John Sullivan1.85%660661.17 676.29      
                  Republican Clubs John Brady1.17%418418.78 432.82      
                  Republican Clubs Bernard McDonagh0.73%262263.17 268.21      
                  Communist John Morris0.24%8686 87.62      
                  Communist Peter Kerrins0.12%4444.78 45.5      
                  Electorate: 63,869  Valid: 35,720 (55.93%)  Spoilt: 1,794  Quota: 5,103  Turnout: 37,514 (58.74%)  

                    Note: John Laird, Jean Coulter and Edith Goligher were all UUUC endorsed candidates.

                    1973

                    1973 Assembly election: Belfast West – 6 seats [11]
                    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                    123456789101112
                    UUP John Laird 27.74%11,479           
                    SDLP Paddy Devlin 18.71%7,743           
                    Ind. Unionist Hugh Smyth 8.76%3,6255,997.09          
                    Vanguard Jean Coulter 4.27%1,7653,606.42 3,606.42 3,634.31 3,638.3 3,704.33 3,707.56 5,610.71 6,281.71   
                    Alliance Bob Cooper 7.64%3,1603,262.9 3,374.22 3,374.89 3,382.61 3,637.01 3,810.76 3,866.68 5,042.61 5,221.61 5,378.06 5,597.46
                    SDLP Desmond Gillespie 4.69%1,9401,940 2,520.29 2,520.3 2,527.93 2,590.38 2,953 2,953.49 2,993.58 2,994.58 3,404.51 4,961.35
                    SDLP Gerry Campbell4.26%1,7641,764.49 2,269.34 2,268.35 2,277.35 2,325.48 2,698.95 2,699.95 2,835.67 2,837.67 3,320.88 4,399.77
                    SDLP Desmond O'Donnell5.10%2,1122,113.47 2,341.17 2,321.17 2,353.40 2,394.93 2,734.28 2,734.78 2,763.39 2,764.39 3,037.25  
                    Republican Clubs Raymond O'Hagan3.36%1,3891,389 1,438.91 1,438.91 1,465.37 2,134.58 2,537.47 2,538.47 2,563.1 2,564.1   
                    NI Labour Billy Boyd 4.69%1,9422,204.15 2,214.73 2,216.67 2,237.9 2,333.56 2,388.08 2,538.1     
                    DUP William Spence3.30%1,3662,270.05 2,270.05 2,286.85 2,293.62 2,236.4 2,239.4      
                    Republican Labour Paddy Kennedy 4.23%1,7501,750.49 1,970.37 1,970.37 1,984.6 2,036.94       
                    Republican Clubs John O'Hare1.70%702703.47 715.43 715.44 725.44        
                    Alliance Reginald Donnelly0.47%194202.33 223.49 223.51 225        
                    Alliance Maureen Smyth0.41%169232.7 238.22 238.67 242.67        
                    NI Labour Patrick Doherty0.36%151152.47 172.02 172.03 174.03        
                    Communist James Stewart 0.30%123130.35 131.96 132.2         
                    Electorate: 70,791  Valid: 41,374 (58.45%)  Spoilt: 2,834  Quota: 5,911  Turnout: 44,208 (62.45%)  

                      Note: John Laird, Hugh Smyth, Jean Coulter and William Spence used the label "West Belfast Loyalist Coalition" simultaneously whilst standing under different party affiliations.

                      References

                      1. "Statement of Persons Nominated – Belfast West" . Retrieved 8 April 2022.
                      2. "NI Assembly Election 2017". EONI. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      3. "NI Assembly Election 2016". EONI. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      4. "NI Assembly Election 2011" (PDF). EONI. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      5. "NI Assembly Election 2007". EONI. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      6. "NI Assembly Election 2003". Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      7. "NI Assembly Election 1998". EONI. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      8. 1996 Candidates – West Belfast Archived 7 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine , Northern Ireland Elections
                      9. "NI Assembly Election 1982". EONI. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      10. "NI Convention Election 1975". EONI. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
                      11. "NI Assembly Election 1973". EONI. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2021.

                      Sources

                      54°35′11″N6°00′06″W / 54.58639°N 6.00167°W / 54.58639; -6.00167