Alliance candidate Noreen Campbell has described her first election in which she secured over 1,400 votes as “absolutely brutal.”
“If by brutal we mean tribal, if by brutal we mean moving back to the past, then I think this has been a potentially very damaging election,” she said.
The former teacher who is currently based in Belcoo said her vote “represents a major step forward” for her party in Fermanagh-south Tyrone.
“This election saw a significant increase in the first preference vote for Alliance. I want to thank the 1,437 voters who gave Alliance their first preference vote. To vote for progressive change in a divisive election where tribal loyalties were being placed centre stage takes considerable courage. I commend this courage. 
She believes local people “want change” and added: “This has been one of the best results that Alliance has had in the area so I am very pleased with that.”
“Not only did the first preference vote more than double, there was also a significant increase in second, third and other preferences. 
“Despite the focus on division, voters indicated that they were prepared to support change for good government for all. At the start of the campaign, my aim was to provide a voice for those who supported change and reconciliation and to give a choice to them at the ballot box. This was achieved,” said Mrs. Campbell.
“During the campaign, I visited the great majority of the villages and towns in Fermanagh-south Tyrone. I listened to the concerns of the electorate: Brexit, the health service, the marginalisation of the constituency. This snap election has not resolved these concerns,” she said.