What is the North Antrim constituency?

North Antrim is a parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, represented in the House of Commons. It is located in the northern part of County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Who is the current Member of Parliament for North Antrim?

As of the 2024 general election, the current Member of Parliament for North Antrim is Jim Allister, representing the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).

When was the North Antrim constituency first established?

The North Antrim constituency first existed from 1885 until 1922. It was re-created in 1950.

What are the main settlements included within the North Antrim constituency?

The major settlements within the North Antrim constituency are Ballymena, Ballymoney, and Ballycastle.

What significant natural landmarks are located within the North Antrim constituency?

Notable natural features within North Antrim include Rathlin Island and the Giant's Causeway.

How has the geographical composition of the North Antrim constituency changed since 1950?

The constituency's boundaries have been redrawn over time. From 1950 to 1974, it included the Boroughs of Ballymena and Larne, and various urban and rural districts. From 1974 to 1983, it incorporated additional areas like Carrickfergus and Whitehead. From 1983 to 2010, it comprised the Districts of Ballymena, Ballymoney, and Moyle. Since 2010, it includes specific wards within the Districts of Ballymena, Ballymoney, and Moyle.

What is the general political leaning of the North Antrim constituency?

North Antrim is described as an overwhelmingly unionist seat.

How did the North Antrim constituency function between 1885 and 1922?

From 1885 to 1922, North Antrim was one of four county divisions carved out of the former Antrim constituency. It comprised the baronies of Cary, Dunluce Lower, Dunluce Upper, and Kilconway, and returned one Member of Parliament.

What happened to the North Antrim constituency in 1922?

In 1922, the North Antrim constituency was abolished and merged into a new, two-member Antrim constituency, reverting to the pre-1885 arrangement.

When was the North Antrim constituency recreated, and how did its boundaries change?

North Antrim was recreated in 1950 following the abolition of the old two-member Antrim constituency. The 1950 version was larger than its original incarnation and covered parts of County Antrim outside the Belfast constituencies.

How competitive have Westminster elections generally been in North Antrim since 1950?

Since 1950, Westminster elections in North Antrim have generally been relatively uncompetitive, with the seat often being uncontested or won by large majorities.

Who was the long-serving MP for North Antrim from 1970 until 2010?

Ian Paisley served as the MP for North Antrim for approximately 40 years, from his election in 1970 until his retirement in 2010. He was initially elected as a Protestant Unionist Party candidate, which later became the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

What political event occurred in North Antrim in July 2018 related to MP conduct?

In July 2018, North Antrim was the location of the first recall petition held in the UK under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. The petition was initiated against Ian Paisley Jr following a critical report into his conduct regarding an undeclared trip to Sri Lanka.

Was the recall petition against Ian Paisley Jr successful?

No, the recall petition was not successful. It was signed by 9.4% of the electorate, falling short of the 10% threshold required to trigger a by-election.

What was the significance of the 2024 general election result in North Antrim?

The 2024 general election saw Jim Allister of the TUV win the North Antrim seat. This marked the first time the DUP lost the seat since Ian Paisley gained it in 1970, and it was the first time in 50 years that the seat was not held by a member of the Paisley family.

Who was the first MP for North Antrim when it was created in 1885?

The first MP for North Antrim, established in 1885, was Edward Macnaghten, who represented the Conservative Party.

Who succeeded Edward Macnaghten as MP for North Antrim in the 1887 by-election?

Sir Charles Lewis succeeded Edward Macnaghten in the 1887 by-election and represented North Antrim as a Conservative and later Irish Unionist MP.

Which party did Robert Glendinning represent when he won the North Antrim seat in 1906?

Robert Glendinning won the North Antrim seat in 1906 as a Russellite Unionist, a group with at least some links to the Liberal Party.

What was the outcome of the 1918 general election in North Antrim?

In the 1918 general election, the Unionist candidate Peter Kerr-Smiley won the North Antrim seat with a significant majority of 9,621 votes against Sinn Féin's 2,673 votes, demonstrating strong unionist support.

Who was the Ulster Unionist MP elected in North Antrim in 1950?

Sir Hugh O'Neill was elected as the Ulster Unionist MP for North Antrim in the 1950 general election.

Who won the North Antrim seat in the 1970 general election?

Ian Paisley won the North Antrim seat in the 1970 general election as the candidate for the Protestant Unionist Party.

What was the result of the 2024 North Antrim general election?

In the 2024 general election, Jim Allister of the TUV won the North Antrim seat with 11,642 votes (28.3%), narrowly defeating Ian Paisley Jr of the DUP, who received 11,192 votes (27.2%). The majority was 450 votes, and the turnout was 55.1%.

What was the DUP's vote share in the 2019 North Antrim general election?

In the 2019 general election, the DUP candidate Ian Paisley Jr secured 20,860 votes, representing 47.4% of the vote.

Who was the second-place candidate in the 2017 North Antrim general election?

Cara McShane of Sinn Féin was the second-place candidate in the 2017 North Antrim general election, receiving 7,878 votes.

What was the majority for the winning candidate in the 2015 North Antrim general election?

In the 2015 general election, the winning candidate, Ian Paisley Jr (DUP), had a majority of 11,546 votes.

Which party did Jim Allister represent when he contested North Antrim in the 2010 general election?

Jim Allister contested the North Antrim constituency in the 2010 general election representing the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).

What was the turnout percentage in the 2010 North Antrim general election?

The voter turnout in the 2010 North Antrim general election was 57.8%.

Who was the candidate for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) in the 2005 North Antrim general election?

Rodney McCune was the Ulster Unionist Party candidate in the 2005 North Antrim general election.

What was the majority achieved by Ian Paisley in the 2001 North Antrim general election?

Ian Paisley of the DUP achieved a majority of 14,224 votes in the 2001 North Antrim general election.

Who was the Liberal candidate in the December 1910 North Antrim general election?

William Macafee was the Liberal candidate in the December 1910 North Antrim general election.

What was the majority for the Irish Unionist candidate in the 1892 North Antrim general election?

Charles Connor, the Irish Unionist candidate, secured a majority of 2,639 votes in the 1892 North Antrim general election.

Who was the Independent Unionist candidate in the 1887 North Antrim by-election?

William Atcheson Traill stood as the Independent Unionist candidate in the 1887 North Antrim by-election.

What was the percentage turnout in the 1885 North Antrim general election?

The voter turnout in the 1885 North Antrim general election was 81.5%.

What is the purpose of the 'See also' section in the article?

The 'See also' section provides a link to a related article, specifically the 'List of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland', which offers broader context on electoral divisions in the region.

What does the infobox indicate about the type of constituency North Antrim is?

The infobox classifies North Antrim as a County constituency for the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.

Which former constituency was North Antrim created from in 1885?

In 1885, North Antrim was one of four county divisions carved out of the former constituency of Antrim.

What was the political affiliation of the MP who held the North Antrim seat from 1950 to 1959?

Sir Hugh O'Neill, who represented North Antrim from 1950, was a member of the Ulster Unionist Party.

What was the result of the 1952 North Antrim by-election?

Phelim O'Neill won the 1952 North Antrim by-election, continuing to represent the Ulster Unionist Party.

What was the majority percentage for Ian Paisley in the February 1974 general election?

In the February 1974 general election, Ian Paisley of the DUP secured a majority of 42.5%.

What was the swing percentage in the 1970 North Antrim general election?

The 1970 general election saw a 'New' swing, indicating the first time the Protestant Unionist Party candidate, Ian Paisley, won the seat.

Which party held the North Antrim seat in the 1964 general election?

The Ulster Unionist Party held the North Antrim seat in the 1964 general election, with Henry Clark as the Member of Parliament.

What was the majority for the Ulster Unionist Party in the 1959 North Antrim general election?

Henry Clark of the Ulster Unionist Party held the North Antrim seat in the 1959 general election with a majority of 89.8%.

What was the result of the 1986 North Antrim by-election?

Ian Paisley of the DUP won the 1986 North Antrim by-election with a substantial majority of 94.8% of the vote.

Who was the Sinn Féin candidate in the 2024 North Antrim general election?

Philip McGuigan was the Sinn Féin candidate in the 2024 North Antrim general election, securing 7,714 votes.

What was the percentage change in vote share for the DUP between the 2019 and 2024 North Antrim general elections?

The DUP's vote share decreased by 23.6 percentage points between the 2019 election (47.4%) and the 2024 election (27.2%).

Which constituency did the boundaries of North Antrim change in relation to during the 2010 general election review?

The boundaries of North Antrim were subject to proposed changes prior to the 2010 general election that would have transferred Ballycastle and the Glens to the East Antrim constituency, renaming it 'Antrim Coast & Glens'.

What does the 'Authority control' section indicate about the North Antrim constituency?

The 'Authority control' section indicates that the North Antrim constituency is cataloged in international (VIAF) and national (UK Parliament) databases, providing standardized identifiers for the entity.

What was the majority for the Irish Unionist candidate in the 1900 North Antrim general election?

The article states that William Moore of the Irish Unionist Party held the North Antrim seat unopposed in the 1900 general election.

What was the percentage turnout in the 1910 January general election for North Antrim?

The voter turnout for the January 1910 general election in North Antrim was 88.5%.

Who was the candidate for the Liberal Party in the 1885 North Antrim general election?

William Pirrie Sinclair was the Liberal Party candidate in the 1885 North Antrim general election.

North Antrim Uk Parliament Constituency Wiki: North Antrim's Electoral Cartography: A Deep Dive into a Northern Ireland Constituency

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Constituency Overview

Geographic Context

North Antrim is a parliamentary constituency situated in the northern expanse of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is characterized by its predominantly rural landscape, punctuated by significant geographical features such as Rathlin Island and the Giant's Causeway. Its boundaries have historically bordered County Londonderry to the west.

Political Affiliation

Historically, North Antrim has been a staunchly unionist seat. The constituency has consistently returned Members of Parliament aligned with unionist parties, reflecting the region's political leanings. This has led to periods of relative electoral stability, with certain parties maintaining a strong presence over extended durations.

Parliamentary Representation

The constituency has had a notable lineage of representatives, with periods of long tenure by prominent political figures. The current Member of Parliament, as of the 2024 general election, is Jim Allister of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). Prior to this, the seat was held for an extended period by members of the Paisley family, representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and its predecessor.

Electoral Boundaries

Historical Delineation

The constituency's boundaries have undergone several revisions since its initial creation. Initially established in 1885 as one of four county divisions of Antrim, it encompassed specific baronies. It was later merged into a broader Antrim constituency before being re-established in 1950 with a revised and expanded geographical remit.

The constituency's boundaries have been redefined over time:

1885–1922: Comprised the baronies of Cary, Dunluce Lower, Dunluce Upper, and Kilconway.
1950–1974: Encompassed the Boroughs of Ballymena and Larne, Urban Districts of Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Portrush, and specific Rural Districts.
1974–1983: Expanded to include Boroughs of Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne, and Urban Districts of Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Portrush, Whitehead, along with specified Rural Districts.
1983–2010: Redefined to cover the Districts of Ballymena, Ballymoney, and Moyle.
2010–Present: Largely retained the 1983 boundaries, with minor adjustments within the District of Moyle wards.

Proposals for boundary changes prior to the 2010 election, which would have transferred parts of the constituency to East Antrim, were ultimately revised and implemented through the Northern Ireland Parliamentary Constituencies Order.

Key Geographical Features

The constituency is notable for its scenic and natural landmarks. Prominent among these are the world-renowned Giant's Causeway and the picturesque Rathlin Island, both significant tourist attractions situated within its electoral boundaries. The region is largely characterized by its agricultural and coastal landscapes.

Historical Context

Unionist Stronghold

North Antrim has consistently demonstrated strong unionist sentiment. The constituency was created in 1885 and re-established in 1950, consistently returning MPs from unionist parties. The Liberal Party maintained some presence in its earlier iteration, but the unionist vote has been dominant, particularly since the mid-20th century.

The Paisley Era

The constituency is historically associated with the political influence of Ian Paisley. First elected in 1970 as a Protestant Unionist, he later represented the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) for four decades until his retirement in 2010. This period marked a significant era of consistent representation by a single political figure and party.

Ian Paisley's political career in North Antrim is notable for its longevity and the party's dominance:

1970: First elected as a Protestant Unionist Party candidate.
1971: The party became the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
40 Years: Held the seat continuously until his retirement in 2010.
Succession: His son, Ian Paisley Jr., succeeded him, continuing the DUP's hold.

This sustained representation highlights the constituency's strong alignment with the DUP's political platform.

Recall Petition

In July 2018, North Antrim became the site of the first recall petition in the UK under the Recall of MPs Act 2015. This was initiated following a report into the conduct of the then-MP, Ian Paisley Jr., and his subsequent suspension from the House of Commons. The petition fell short of the threshold required to trigger a by-election.

Members of Parliament

Early Representatives (1885-1922)

The initial iteration of the North Antrim constituency saw representation from figures such as Edward Macnaghten (Conservative), Sir Charles Lewis (Conservative/Irish Unionist), and William Moore (Irish Unionist). The political landscape was marked by the Unionist/Liberal divide prevalent in Ireland at the time.

Edward Macnaghten (Conservative)
Sir Charles Lewis (Conservative/Irish Unionist)
Charles Connor (Irish Unionist)
Colonel Hugh McCalmont (Irish Unionist)
William Moore (Irish Unionist)
Robert Glendinning (Russellite Unionist)
Peter Kerr-Smiley (Irish Unionist)

Modern Era MPs (1950-Present)

Following its re-creation in 1950, North Antrim has had fewer MPs, reflecting longer tenures. Sir Hugh O'Neill and Phelim O'Neill (Ulster Unionist Party) served during the mid-20th century. Ian Paisley (Protestant Unionist/DUP) dominated from 1970 until 2010, followed by his son Ian Paisley Jr. (DUP) until 2024.

Sir Hugh O'Neill (Ulster Unionist)
Phelim O'Neill (Ulster Unionist)
Henry Clark (Ulster Unionist)
Ian Paisley (Protestant Unionist / DUP)
Ian Paisley Jr. (DUP / Independent)
Jim Allister (TUV)

Electoral Performance

Recent Election Results

The constituency has seen significant shifts in recent elections, notably the TUV's gain in 2024, ending a long period of DUP dominance. The tables below detail the results from 1950 to the present, illustrating the electoral trends and party performances.

2024 General Election

2024 General Election: North Antrim
	TUV	Jim Allister	11,642	28.3	New
	DUP	Ian Paisley Jr	11,192	27.2	−23.6
	Sinn Féin	Philip McGuigan	7,714	18.7	+7.4
	Alliance	Sian Mulholland	4,488	10.9	−3.4
	UUP	Jackson Minford	3,901	9.5	−7.4
	SDLP	Helen Maher	1,661	4.0	−1.9
	Aontú	Ráichéal Mhic Niocaill	451	1.1	New
	Independent	Tristan Morrow	136	0.3	N/A
Majority			450	1.1	N/A
Turnout			41,185	55.1	−2.0

2019 General Election

2019 General Election: North Antrim
	DUP	Ian Paisley Jr	20,860	47.4	−11.5
	UUP	Robin Swann	8,139	18.5	+11.3
	Alliance	Patricia O'Lynn	6,231	14.1	+8.5
	Sinn Féin	Cara McShane	5,632	12.8	−3.5
	SDLP	Margaret Anne McKillop	2,943	6.7	+1.4
	Independent	Stephen Palmer	246	0.6	New
Majority			12,721	28.9	−13.7
Turnout			44,051	57.1	−7.0

2017 General Election

2017 General Election: North Antrim
	DUP	Ian Paisley Jr	28,521	58.9	+15.7
	Sinn Féin	Cara McShane	7,878	16.3	+4.0
	UUP	Jackson Minford	3,482	7.2	−4.9
	TUV	Timothy Gaston	3,282	6.8	−8.9
	Alliance	Patricia O'Lynn	2,723	5.6	0.0
	SDLP	Declan O'Loan	2,574	5.3	−1.7
Majority			20,643	42.6	+15.1
Turnout			48,460	64.1	+8.9

2015 General Election

2015 General Election: North Antrim
	DUP	Ian Paisley Jr	18,107	43.2	−3.2
	TUV	Timothy Gaston	6,561	15.7	−1.2
	Sinn Féin	Daithí McKay	5,143	12.3	−0.1
	UUP	Robin Swann	5,054	12.1	+1.1
	SDLP	Declan O'Loan	2,925	7.0	−1.8
	Alliance	Jayne Dunlop	2,351	5.6	+2.4
	UKIP	Robert Hill	1,341	3.2	New
	NI Conservatives	Carol Freeman	368	0.9	New
	Independent	Thomas Palmer	57	0.1	N/A
Majority			11,546	27.5	−2.1
Turnout			41,907	55.2	−2.6

2010 General Election

2010 General Election: North Antrim
	DUP	Ian Paisley Jr	19,672	46.4	−10.4
	TUV	Jim Allister	7,114	16.8	New
	Sinn Féin	Daithí McKay	5,265	12.4	−1.8
	UCU-NF	Irwin Armstrong	4,634	10.9	−4.1
	SDLP	Declan O'Loan	3,738	8.8	−2.2
	Alliance	Jayne Dunlop	1,368	3.2	+0.2
Majority			12,558	29.6	−9.5
Turnout			42,397	57.8	−7.3

1997 General Election

1997 General Election: North Antrim
	DUP	Ian Paisley	21,495	46.5	−4.4
	UUP	James Leslie	10,921	23.6	+5.5
	SDLP	Sean Farren	7,333	15.9	+1.6
	Sinn Féin	James McGarry	2,896	6.3	+2.1
	Alliance	David Alderdice	2,845	6.2	−1.4
	NI Women's Coalition	Bronagh Hinds	580	1.3	New
	Natural Law	John Wright	116	0.3	New
Majority			10,574	22.9	−9.9
Turnout			46,186	63.8	−2.0

1970 General Election

1970 General Election: North Antrim
	Protestant Unionist	Ian Paisley	24,130	41.2	New
	UUP	Henry Clark	21,451	36.6	−41.5
	NI Labour	Patrick McHugh	6,476	11.0	New
	Ulster Liberal	Richard Moore	2,269	3.9	−18.0
Majority			2,679	4.6	N/A
Turnout			58,638	73.4	+16.7

1950 General Election

1950 General Election: North Antrim
	UUP	Hugh O'Neill	Unopposed
Registered electors			68,759

1885 General Election

1885 General Election: North Antrim
	Irish Conservative	Edward MacNaghten	3,233	44.3
	Liberal	William Pirrie Sinclair	2,149	29.5
	Independent	John Pinkerton	1,915	26.2
Majority			1,084	14.8
Turnout			7,297	81.5

Note: Full election data tables are extensive and have been summarized for brevity. Please refer to the source for complete historical election results.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency) Wikipedia page

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Important Considerations

This document has been meticulously compiled by an AI, drawing exclusively from the provided source material concerning the North Antrim parliamentary constituency. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, the information presented reflects a specific point in time and may not encompass all nuances or subsequent developments.

This is not political advice. The content herein is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional political analysis, electoral guidance, or advocacy. Readers are encouraged to consult official sources and conduct their own research for comprehensive understanding.

The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.

North Antrim's Electoral Cartography

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Constituency Overview 🏛️

📍 Geographic Context

🗳️ Political Affiliation

🏛️ Parliamentary Representation

Electoral Boundaries 🗺️

📜 Historical Delineation

🏞️ Key Geographical Features

Historical Context ⏳

📜 Unionist Stronghold

👨‍👧‍👦 The Paisley Era

⚖️ Recall Petition

Members of Parliament 👤

👑 Early Representatives (1885-1922)

⭐ Modern Era MPs (1950-Present)

Electoral Performance 📊

📈 Recent Election Results

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Constituency Overview

Geographic Context

Political Affiliation

Parliamentary Representation

Electoral Boundaries

Historical Delineation

Key Geographical Features

Historical Context

Unionist Stronghold

The Paisley Era

Recall Petition

Members of Parliament

Early Representatives (1885-1922)

Modern Era MPs (1950-Present)

Electoral Performance

Recent Election Results

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Considerations