South Down

One to Watch

The retirement of Eddie McGrady marks the end of a 22-year era for South Down constituents, leaving a more open race than usual. Either his close colleague Margaret Ritchie or erstwhile challenger Caitríona Ruane will take that accolade. Both will be judged on their ministerial records as well as their credibility in the constituency.

A long-standing Down councillor by background, Ritchie’s profile has certainly risen since she took office as Social Development Minister. It is further strengthened by her election as SDLP leader. However, she does not have the experience that guaranteed McGrady a large majority and her party’s tally fell to 14,462 in the Assembly election.

Ruane has undoubtedly been the more controversial of the two although her strong personality bodes well for a winner-takes-all Westminster contest; she topped the Assembly poll in 2007. Sinn Féin reached a new level of support (14,134 first preferences) that time round, narrowing the gap with their rivals to a mere 328 votes. Among the smaller parties, the Greens will run a Westminster candidate for the first time (Cadogan Enright); they polled 1,622 votes in 2007.

The unionist contest has settled with around 8,000-9,000 supporting DUP hardliner Jim Wells and around 4,500 Ulster Unionists, now represented by John McCallister. Ballynahinch, which generally votes unionist or SDLP, has been transferred to Strangford, leaving the constituency ‘greener’. The move will bolster Sinn Féin. With a tighter race than before, much also depends on whether or for whom Eddie McGrady’s 2,000 or so tactical unionist supporters cast their vote.