LIKE THE REPUBLIC, the Northern Ireland is also facing the an election bonanza with both locals and Europeans taking place.
However, they will be going to polls today, a day ahead of the Republic.
The story of the local elections has been dominated by the UK Independent Party soaring popularity, with some predicting a very healthy majority being turned on councils.
The European elections in Northern Ireland is more of a mixed bag, with plenty of familiar faces and just one candidate whose party that has no representation in Stormont.
Not up to speed with proceedings? We have this five minute crash course for you of who’s who in the running for those 3 seats…
Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) – Jim Allister
Allister is the only former, but not currently sitting, MEP in the race. He was elected to Brussels in 2004 with the Democratic Unionist Party, although half-way through his term he dramatically left the party to set up the TUV. While his vote plummeted from 32 per cent of first preference votes in 2004 to 13.7 per cent in 2009, it still leaves him firmly in the running this time around.
Sinn Féin – Martina Anderson
Sinn Féin has held a NI seat in the European Parliament since 2004. Bairbre de Brún stepped down as MEP in mid-2012, with Anderson (left, in pink) taking over. If opinion polls south of the border are anything to go by, Anderson can be sure of a strong performance this time around.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) – Alex Attwood
A former Minister for the Environment and also Social Development, Attwood is looking give his party a role again in EU affairs. John Hume’s retirement meant the SDLP lost a two-decade streak in the parliament in 2004. Their 2007 candidate narrowly missed a seat.
Conservatives – Mark Brotherston
The Tories previously fielded a candidate, Jim Nicholas, in this constituency under the banner of “Ulster Conservatives and Unionists – New Force (UCUNF)”. However, this alliance has since broken down, with Brotherston now running under the Northern Ireland’s brand of the Conservatives. Confused? We hope he’s not.
Green Party in Northern Ireland – Ross Brown
Brown’s background lies in economics, having worked temporarily in both the NI Assembly and the Treasury in London. Unlike their counterparts in the Republic, his party has yet to gain a seat in the European parliament.
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – Diane Dodds
The DUP currently have, and look set to maintain, their seat, which incumbent Diane Dodds is contesting again. The party briefly lost their voice at EU-level when in 2007 Jim McAllister split from the party to form the TUV. It was quickly reclaimed in the 2009 election.
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland – Anna Lo
The party has so far been unsuccessful in gaining a seat in the EU parliament, with candidate Ian Parsley receiving 5.5 per cent of first preference votes in 2009. This year’s candidate is Anna Lo, who has described herself as “anti-colonial” and recently said that Ireland would be better off united.
NI21 – Tina McKenzie
It’s unclear what this new party’s chances are of gaining a seat. McKenzie (pictured left) is the party’s current chair of the pro-Union party, set up in the middle of last year, and are leading a business-focused campaign.
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) – Jim Nicholson
Nicholson has retained his seat in the EU parliament for over two decades now after first being elected in 1989. While not quite a Euro-sceptic, Nicholson refers to himself as “Euro-realist”, believing that the Union offers many benefits to Northern Ireland but that red tape needs to be reigned in. He’s also a Quaestor in the parliament.
UK Independence Party (UKIP) – Henry Reilly
Currently a sitting councillor in Newry, Reilly previously worked in various government departments relating to agriculture and rural development – a focus of his campaign. Reilly firmly believes that the United Kingdom will vote to leave the European Union.
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