Alliance Party 'enormously disappointed' at  losing two Council seats

The Alliance Party in Derry-Strabane said it was "enormously disappointed" at  losing the two Council seats held by its "hugely dedicated and hard-working" councillors Rachael Ferguson (Faughan), and Philip McKinney (Waterside).   

A local Alliance spokesperson said: "Despite achieving almost exactly the same vote as in 2019 when we gained two Council seats, this time we lost those two seats and didn't gain any new seats on our local Council.

"This severe local disappointment has to be seen in the context of Alliance's growing by more than 25% across NI  -  becoming the third-largest council party, as Alliance has already achieved in the NI Assembly.  And it gives us no pleasure to see the loss of representatives by the SDLP and Ulster Unionist Party across Northern Ireland, two parties which have worked hard for decades, to see cooperation and reconciliation as the way to a better future for all.
 
“Alliance members locally are temporarily disappointed.  But we are very delighted indeed to see the growth of Alliance in our neighbouring Councils  -  Causeway Coast & Glens, and Fermanagh and Omagh.   There are now Alliance councillors in the West, all the way from Coleraine and Limavady to Omagh and Enniskillen.
 
"We will continue to work to bring the lasting message of reconciliation and cooperation within our local area, while we work hand-in-hand with our colleagues in neighbouring Councils and across Northern Ireland. There is a better, co-operative future if we all work together for it".

Outgoing Alliance Councillors Rachael Ferguson and Philip McKinney have issued a warm thank you to all those voters who came out on Thursday to vote for them and for the other Alliance candidates.

"We are grateful for those voters who cast their votes for Alliance", said local Alliance Chairperson Philip McKInney.

"Although our votes in Derry-Strabane stayed almost exactly the same", we were less successful than in 2019.

"But Alliance now  has more councillors in the West - with seven councillors now elected in Coleraine, Limavady, Omagh and Enniskillen", observed Philip McKinney.

"And we look forward very much to stronger representation in Derry-Strabane in future elections.

"Our strength is in our local members and local voters who want reconciliation and co-operation in politics and in all aspects of life. To those voters we are hugely grateful"