The fastest growing party on the island? Why, it’s the DUP of course

THE onward march of Sinn Féin has slowed to a stroll. That is a clear conclusion which can be drawn from the results of the Westminster elections held in Northern Ireland this day last week.

The cumulative data just thrown up by the local elections points to the same trend. SF is still on the advance, but its continuing electoral growth is not inevitable.

SF had one gain in the Westminster election with Conor Murphy winning Seamus Mallon’s former seat in Newry and Armagh, and it was an impressive win. The growth of Murphy’s vote since the Good Friday Agreement has been dramatic.