Sinn Féin wins landmark vote in Newtownabbey
BY CAÍTLIN DOHERTY
The steady rise in the Sinn Féin vote was again rubber-stamped by
the Newtonabbey by election in Glengormley. Roisin McGurk, who
has a solid track record in community affairs, polled an extreely
impressive total of 1,063 votes.
This was the first time Sinn Féin had stood a candidate in the
area and the landmark success of the party is a marker for future
electoral battles.
The total number of votes cast exceeded the quota, indicating
that the party will secure at least a seat during the next
council elections, an indication of the growing frustration of
nationalists in the area, who have until now had little or no
representation.
The turnout for the by-election was higher than for the local
government elections. The borough is developing and dramatically
expanding, changes that will be reflected at a political level.
McGurk said she was very pleased with the result. ``Local
residents and voters have given Sinn Féin a massive vote of
support in our political project to bring strong nationalist
representation, equality and accountability to the Newtownabbey
Borough council,'' she said.
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