East Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)

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For other constituencies of the same name, see East Antrim (disambiguation).

East Antrim
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of East Antrim in Northern Ireland
Districts of Northern IrelandCauseway Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim, Antrim and Newtownabbey
Electorate61,745 (March 2011)
Current constituency
Created1983
Member of ParliamentSammy Wilson (DUP)
Seats1
Created fromNorth Antrim and South Antrim
1885–1922
Seats1
Type of constituencyCounty constituency
Created fromAntrim
Replaced byAntrim, Carrickfergus

East Antrim is a parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons. The current MP is Sammy Wilson of the DUP.

A constituency with identical boundaries is also used for elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Constituency profile[edit]

The seat covers the east coast from Cushendun down to Carrickfergus. The seat is strongly unionist and one of the few areas of Northern Ireland which voted to leave the European Union.[1]

Boundaries[edit]

Map
Map of current boundaries
Carrickfergus Castle

The original county constituency comprised the eastern part of County Antrim, being carved out of the former Antrim constituency. From 1885, East Antrim consisted of the baronies of Belfast Lower and Glenarm Upper, that part of the barony of Antrim Upper not in the constituency of South Antrim, that part of the barony of Antrim Lower not in the constituency of Mid Antrim, that part of the barony of Belfast Upper consisting of the parish of Ballymartin and the parish of Templepatrick apart from the townland of Ballyutoag, and the town of Carrickfergus.

It returned one Member of Parliament 1885–1922.

The current seat was created in boundary changes in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from parts of North Antrim and South Antrim. Since further revisions in 1995 (when it lost part of the district of Newtownabbey to the North Belfast constituency) it now covers the entirety of the districts of Larne and Carrickfergus, as well as part of Newtownabbey and Moyle.

Prior to the 2010 general election the Boundary Commission originally proposed two significant changes for East Antrim. In the south of the constituency it was proposed to transfer a further part of Newtownabbey to the North Belfast constituency whilst in the north the seat would have gained the Glens and Ballycastle in Moyle district from North Antrim. East Antrim would have been renamed 'Antrim Coast & Glens'. However this latter part of the proposal raised many questions, with some already arguing that the Glens have no natural ties to Jordanstown (and in 1995 the previous Boundary Commission cited this very reason when rejecting such a proposal).

Following consultation and revising the recommendations, the new boundaries for East Antrim were confirmed and passed through Parliament by the Northern Ireland Parliamentary Constituencies Order[2] as follows:

  • The whole district of Carrickfergus
  • The whole district of Larne
  • Glenaan, Glenariff, and Glendun from the Moyle district
  • From Newtownabbey, the wards of Jordanstown, Monkstown, and Rostulla

History[edit]

1885 until 1922[edit]

The constituency was a strongly conservative then unionist area, where republican and nationalist candidates were not elected.

From 1886 to 1974 the Conservative and Unionist members of the United Kingdom House of Commons formed a single Parliamentary party.

From 1905 there was an Ulster Unionist organisation, but MPs sponsored by it are classified as Irish Unionists until the 1921 Northern Ireland general election made the partition of Ireland effective so that Irish Unionism ceased to be a realistic objective.

A victory for the Unionist candidate in 1918 by 15,206 votes to Sinn Féin's 861 votes demonstrated the virtual unanimity of the unionist support.

Consequently, Sinn Féin did not contest the 1919 by-election in the constituency.

In 1922, the constituency was incorporated into the Antrim constituency, which from 1950 until 1983 was divided into the North Antrim and South Antrim constituencies.

The First Dáil[edit]

Sinn Féin contested the general election of 1918 on the platform that instead of taking up any seats they won in the United Kingdom Parliament, they would establish a revolutionary assembly in Dublin. In republican theory every MP elected in Ireland was a potential Deputy to this assembly. In practice only the Sinn Féin members accepted the offer.

The revolutionary First Dáil assembled on 21 January 1919 and last met on 10 May 1921. The First Dáil, according to a resolution passed on 10 May 1921, was formally dissolved on the assembling of the Second Dáil. This took place on 16 August 1921.

In 1921 Sinn Féin decided to use the UK authorised elections for the Northern Ireland House of Commons and the House of Commons of Southern Ireland as a poll for the Irish Republic's Second Dáil. This area, in republican theory, was incorporated in a seven-member Dáil constituency of Antrim.

Constituency since 1983[edit]

The constituency is overwhelmingly unionist, with the combined votes for nationalist parties rarely exceeding 10%. However, there have been above average votes for parties outside the traditional unionist block, such as the Alliance and the Conservatives. In the local government elections for the equivalent area many votes often go to independent candidates or groups such as the Newtownabbey Ratepayers Association. While the SDLP sprung a surprise in 1998 by overtaking a DUP candidate to win the final seat due to Ulster Unionist transfers – the first time that any nationalist candidate has benefited in this way.

The main interest in Westminster Elections has been the contest between the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party. In 1983 the UUP were only 367 votes ahead of the DUP. As part of a pact to oppose the Anglo-Irish Agreement the DUP did not contest the seat until 1992 but they still failed to come close, though in the 1996 elections to the Northern Ireland Forum they were only slightly behind the UUP. But in the 2001 general election they achieved an astonishing result when they came with 128 votes of winning the Westminster seat, despite not having targeted it. In the 2003 Assembly election they followed this up by gaining two additional MLAs and outpolling the UUP for the first time.

The DUP remained eager to take the Westminster seat and in the 2005 general election they did so.

Members of Parliament[edit]

The Member of Parliament since the 2005 general election is Sammy Wilson of the Democratic Unionist Party. In that election he defeated Roy Beggs of the Ulster Unionist Party, who had sat for the seat since it was created at the 1983 general election.

Election Member[3] Party
1885 James McCalmont Irish Conservative
1913 Robert McCalmont Irish Unionist
1919 George Hanna Independent Unionist
1922 constituency abolished
1983 constituency recreated
1983 Roy Beggs Ulster Unionist
2005 Sammy Wilson Democratic Unionist

Election results[edit]

Elections in the 2020s[edit]

Next general election: East Antrim
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Alliance Danny Donnelly[4]
Majority
Turnout
Registered electors
gain from Swing

Elections in the 2010s[edit]

General election 2019: East Antrim[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Sammy Wilson 16,871 45.3 ―12.0
Alliance Danny Donnelly 10,165 27.3 +11.7
Ulster Unionist Steve Aiken 5,475 14.7 +2.8
Sinn Féin Oliver McMullan 2,120 5.7 ―3.6
NI Conservatives Aaron Rankin 1,043 2.8 +0.3
SDLP Angela Mulholland 902 2.4 ―1.0
Green (NI) Philip Randle 685 1.8 New
Majority 6,716 18.0 ―22.7
Turnout 37,261 57.5 ―3.1
Registered electors 64,645
DUP hold Swing ―11.9
General election 2017: East Antrim[6][7][8][9][10][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Sammy Wilson 21,873 57.3 +21.2
Alliance Stewart Dickson 5,950 15.6 +0.6
Ulster Unionist John Stewart 4,524 11.9 ―6.9
Sinn Féin Oliver McMullan 3,555 9.3 +2.4
SDLP Margaret McKillop 1,278 3.4 ―1.5
NI Conservatives Mark Logan 963 2.5 +0.9
Majority 15,923 40.7 +23.4
Turnout 38,143 60.6 +7.3
Registered electors 62,908
DUP hold Swing +10.3
General election 2015: East Antrim[12] [13][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Sammy Wilson 12,103 36.1 ―9.8
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs Jnr 6,308 18.8 ―4.9
Alliance Stewart Dickson 5,021 15.0 +3.9
UKIP Noel Jordan 3,660 10.9 New
Sinn Féin Oliver McMullan 2,314 6.9 +0.1
TUV Ruth Wilson 1,903 5.7 ―0.3
SDLP Margaret McKillop 1,639 4.9 ―1.7
NI Conservatives Alex Wilson 549 1.6 New
Majority 5,795 17.3 ―4.9
Turnout 33,497 53.3 +2.6
Registered electors 62,811
DUP hold Swing −2.4
General election 2010: East Antrim[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Sammy Wilson 13,993 45.9 ―1.0
UCU-NF Rodney McCune 7,223 23.7 ―1.4
Alliance Gerry Lynch 3,377 11.1 ―3.6
Sinn Féin Oliver McMullan 2,064 6.8 +1.4
SDLP Justin McCamphill 2,019 6.6 ―0.8
TUV Sammy Morrison 1,826 6.0 New
Majority 6,770 22.2 ―0.8
Turnout 30,502 50.7 ―3.8
Registered electors 60,204
DUP hold Swing +0.2

Elections in the 2000s[edit]

General election 2005: East Antrim[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DUP Sammy Wilson 15,766 49.6 +13.6
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs 8,462 26.6 ―9.8
Alliance Seán Neeson 4,869 15.3 +2.8
SDLP Danny O'Connor 1,695 5.3 ―2.0
Sinn Féin James McKeown 828 2.6 +0.1
Rainbow Dream Ticket David Kerr 147 0.5 New
Majority 7,304 23.0 N/A
Turnout 31,767 54.5 ―4.6
Registered electors 57,966
DUP gain from Ulster Unionist Swing ―11.7
General election 2001: East Antrim[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs 13,101 36.4 ―2.4
DUP Sammy Wilson 12,973 36.0 +16.5
Alliance John Mathews 4,483 12.5 ―7.7
SDLP Danny O'Connor 2,641 7.3 +2.7
Independent Lindsay Mason 1,092 3.0 ―0.3
Sinn Féin Janette Graffan 903 2.5 +0.9
NI Conservatives Alan Greer 807 2.2 ―4.6
Majority 128 0.4 ―18.2
Turnout 36,000 59.1 +0.8
Registered electors 60,897
Ulster Unionist hold Swing ―0.5

Elections in the 1990s[edit]

General election 1997: East Antrim[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs 13,318 38.8 ―4.4
Alliance Sean Neeson 6,929 20.2 ―3.1
DUP Jack McKee 6,682 19.5 ―4.8
NI Conservatives Terence Dick 2,334 6.8 ―1.8
PUP Billy Donaldson 1,757 5.1 New
SDLP Danny O'Connor 1,576 4.6 New
Independent Lindsay Mason 1,145 3.3 New
Sinn Féin Chrissie McAuley 543 1.6 New
Natural Law Maura McCann 69 0.2 ―0.4
Majority 6,389 18.6 ―0.3
Turnout 34,353 58.3 ―3.9
Registered electors 59,032
Ulster Unionist hold Swing +0.1
General election 1992: East Antrim[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs 16,966 43.2 ―28.4
DUP Nigel Dodds 9,544 24.3 New
Alliance Sean Neeson 9,132 23.3 ―2.3
NI Conservatives Myrtle Margaretta Boal 3,359 8.6 New
Natural Law Andrea Palmer 250 0.6 New
Majority 7,422 18.9 ―27.1
Turnout 39,251 62.4 +7.2
Registered electors 62,864
Ulster Unionist hold Swing

Elections in the 1980s[edit]

General election 1987: East Antrim[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs 23,942 71.6 +34.2
Alliance Seán Neeson 8,582 25.6 +5.6
Workers' Party Austin Kevin Kelly 936 2.8 +1.3
Majority 15,360 46.0 +45.1
Turnout 33,460 55.2 ―9.9
Registered electors 60,587
Ulster Unionist hold Swing
By-election 1986: East Antrim[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs 30,386 84.9 +47.5
Alliance Seán Neeson 5,405 15.1 ―4.9
Majority 24,981 69.8 +68.9
Turnout 24,981 59.2 ―5.9
Registered electors 60,780
Ulster Unionist hold Swing
General election 1983: East Antrim[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs 14,293 37.4
DUP Jim Allister 13,926 36.5
Alliance Seán Neeson 7,620 20.0
SDLP Michael O'Cleary 1,047 2.7
Independent William Anthony Cunning 741 1.9
Workers' Party Austin Kevin Kelly 581 1.5
Majority 367 0.9
Turnout 38,154 65.1
Registered electors 58,671
Ulster Unionist win (new seat)

Elections in the 1910s[edit]

1919 East Antrim by-election[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ind. Unionist George Boyle Hanna 8,714 48.3 New
Irish Unionist William Agnew Moore 7,549 41.8 ―52.8
Independent Charles McFerran Legg 1,778 9.9 New
Majority 1,165 6.5 N/A
Turnout 24,798 72.7 +7.9
Registered electors 24,798
Ind. Unionist gain from Irish Unionist Swing
1918 general election: East Antrim
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist Robert McCalmont 15,206 94.6 N/A
Sinn Féin Daniel Dumigan 861 5.4 New
Majority 14,345 89.2 N/A
Turnout 16,067 64.8 N/A
Registered electors 24,798
Irish Unionist hold Swing
1913 East Antrim by-election[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist Robert McCalmont Unopposed
Registered electors
Irish Unionist hold
December 1910 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist James McCalmont Unopposed
Registered electors
Irish Unionist hold
January 1910 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist James McCalmont Unopposed
Registered electors
Irish Unionist hold

Elections in the 1900s[edit]

1906 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist James McCalmont 4,496 67.7 +10.3
Russellite Unionist Henry Rosere Beddoes 2,145 32.3 New
Majority 2,351 35.4 +20.5
Turnout 6,641 77.2 +7.0
Registered electors 8,606
Irish Unionist hold Swing
1900 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist James McCalmont 3,582 57.45 N/A
Ind. Unionist James King-Kerr 2,653 42.55 New
Majority 929 14.90 N/A
Turnout 6,235 70.17 N/A
Registered electors 8,886
Irish Unionist hold Swing

Elections in the 1890s[edit]

1895 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist James McCalmont Unopposed
Registered electors
Irish Unionist hold
1892 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist James McCalmont Unopposed
Registered electors
Irish Unionist hold

Elections in the 1880s[edit]

1886 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Conservative James McCalmont Unopposed
Registered electors 8,773
Irish Conservative hold
1885 general election: East Antrim[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Conservative James McCalmont 4,180 66.5
Liberal Marriott Robert Dalway 2,105 33.5
Majority 2,075 33.0
Turnout 6,285 71.6
Registered electors 8,773
Irish Conservative win (new seat)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Antrim East: Seat Details". Electoral Calculus.
  2. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order 2008". Legislation.gov.uk.
  3. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "A" (part 2)
  4. ^ @allianceparty (15 March 2024). "Congratulations to @DannyDonnelly1 on being selected as Alliance's East Antrim General Election candidate!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "East Antrim Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Dickson to stand in Westminster election". Larne Times. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  7. ^ "McMullan candidate in Westminster election". Larne Times. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Ulster Unionist Party announces General Election candidates". Belfast Telegraph. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  9. ^ "DUP General Election candidates announced". Belfast Telegraph. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Statement of Persons nominated". Electoral Office of Northern Ireland. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  11. ^ "UK Parliamentary Election Result 2017 - East Antrim". Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  13. ^ "East Antrim parliamentary constituency - Election 2017" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  14. ^ "The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland - EONI". www.eoni.org.uk.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  20. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ^ Results of Byelections in the 1983-87 Parliament Archived 5 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine in the United Kingdom Election Results website Archived 7 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine maintained by David Boothroyd
  22. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Walker, B.M., ed. (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. pp. 326, 383. ISBN 0901714127.

External links[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

  • Walker, Brian M., ed. (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801–1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. ISBN 0901714127.
  • Stenton, M.; Lees, S., eds. (1978). Who's Who of British members of parliament: Volume II 1886–1918. The Harvester Press.
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