Election 2023: Unionists urged to come out to vote in numbers in Ards and North Down

UUP man Mark Brooks has been on the campaign trail in Bangor East and Donaghadee, albeit moving a little slower as he is recovering from a stroke.
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By Graeme Cousins
Published 16th May 2023, 15:32 BST
Updated 16th May 2023, 17:18 BST

Mark, who topped the poll last time out in 2019, said: “I’m getting an extremely positive response. I’m expecting to hold my own but it’s a very difficult field – the turn out is very unpredictable, the Alliance are running an extra candidate, I think Tom Smith (Independent Unionist) will do quite well.”

Of his health setback, Mark said: "I had a stroke in February so I’m not canvassing as quickly as I normally would, though I have been around 90% of where I would normally go. I’m feeling okay, just a bit slower.”

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Mark believes there may be a low turn out come polling day: “Normally they say when there’s a low turn out it will benefit the DUP, but I think in North Down it might benefit the Alliance Party, who are running more candidates than ever before.”

Bangor was awarded city status as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.Bangor was awarded city status as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
Bangor was awarded city status as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

However he also offered a counter argument, saying because Alliance have taken a higher profile on local issues, for example the flying of the Union flag in the borough, they are “more exposed”.

"It might motivate unionist voters to come in greater numbers,” he said.

Naomi Armstrong, who works in Strangford MP Jim Shannon’s office, is aiming to retain her council seat in her hometown of Newtownards.

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