The turbulence in unionism contrasts with the calm predictability on the nationalist side
Ian Paisley watches a partial recount of votes in the North Antrim count at Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt. Photo: Niall Carson/PA WireA moment of some historical significance occurred early yesterday morning when it was confirmed that, for the first time in 54 years, no Paisley would represent the people of Antrim at Westminster. The shock defeat of Ian Paisley Jr by TUV leader Jim Allister put the cap on a grim election night for the DUP.
, where Sinn Féin and the SDLP each maintained their existing seat tallies. Sinn Féin can point to the fact that it is now the largest Northern party at Westminster, although its MPs abstain from taking their seats. In the headcount politics of the North, that fact will be deployed in service of the argument that demographic and cultural changes are trending inexorably towards majority support for Irish unification. The truth is more nuanced.
The real story of this week’s election is of shifting tectonic plates within political unionism, in particular the continuing drift away from the DUP. Opposing factions within that party will no doubt be able to find ammunition for their particular views on the way forward.
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