Gavin Robinson, leader of the DUP and newly reconfirmed MP for Belfast East, delivered his victory speech in the early hours of Friday at the Titanic Convention Centre. He aimed a jocular comment at Naomi Long, the chief of Alliance Party, stating “For the fourth consecutive time, we need to cease our seemingly habitual encounters.”
Touted as the clash of titans in Northern Ireland’s Westminster election, two party leaders, who are both past MPs and actual natives of east Belfast, dueled over the parliamentary seat. Robinson conclusively emerged victorious, underscoring that this marked the fourth time he triumphed over Long.
Robinson garnered a larger majority this time of over 2,500 votes, even in the company of a TUV candidate—absent in the last general election occurred in 2019—whose involvement was rumoured to potentially divide the unionist vote, possibly paving the way for an Alliance triumph. Robinson copped 19,894 votes in contrast to Long’s 17,218 in the head-to-head run, whereas the TUV’s John Ross trailed far behind with only 1,918 votes.
Robinson attributed his victory to “the political crusade undertaken by our team in East Belfast” and “the electors who for this voting episode turned up, including some who returned after a long hiatus from voting.”
Had Long secured the seat, it would have converted Alliance’s mixed results into a resounding triumph as the party lost North Down but won Lagan Valley. Now, Long took solace in the defeat that allowed her to retain her seat in the Assembly as an MLA and Justice Minister.
It’s a positive outcome regardless,” she said. “Had I won the election, that would have been great, but if I didn’t, I have the privilege of continuing a job I deeply enjoy.”