South Down election victory ‘about creating positive change’: Sinn Fein's Chris Hazzard

South Down Sinn Fein candidate Chris Hazzard, wins the seat with a vote of 19,698 at the UK general election count at South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon. Photo by Philip Magowan / Press Eye

Chris Hazzard has been elected as South Down's MP for the third time in a row.

The Sinn Féin representative polled 19,698 votes, increasing his share of the vote by 12.7%.

Following his election Mr Hazzard said, "What a smashing endorsement of what we put forward for strong leadership, for positive change and most importantly a different vision for the future.

"For decisions about our lives to be taken at home here in Ireland.

"I think this also demonstrates that elections are fought on the ground, not on Twitter, and I think this is a great endorsement of a record of delivery.

"This is about working for everybody, this is about creating positive change, about delivering the Narrow Water bridge, about fixing our health service, about fixing our education service."

Colin McGrath, the SDLP candidate, was second with 10,418 - 23% of the share of the vote.

The DUP's Diane Forsythe received 7,349 in Thursday's election, while Alliance's Andrew McMurray scored 3,187.

The returning Jim Wells got 1,893 for TUV.

There were 797 votes for Aontú's Rosemary McGlone, 444 for Declan Walsh of the Greens, and 48 for Hannah Westropp of the Conservatives.

South Down election victory ‘about creating positive change’: Sinn Fein's Chris Hazzard

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