While there could only be five chosen out of the 16 candidates who put their name forward for the Assembly Election in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, there were some who fared better than others, but failed to get elected.

It was an election of progress for the likes of the TUV and Alliance; however, a disappointing end to the campaign for the SDLP.

The TUV and Alliance increased their first preference votes by 296.28 per cent and 79.75 per cent respectively, but the SDLP saw a slump in theirs – a fall of 25.28 per cent.

This was one unexpected outcome, as many had raised the possibility of Adam Gannon (SDLP) securing a seat.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter following his elimination from the election, Mr. Gannon said: “I’ll not give up hope, I’ll keep trying.

“That’s why I’m here – to try and change things and try do a bit better try and try and make a bit of difference.

READ MORE: Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly Election: Boredom at the election count

“A lot of people asked me for help during the campaign, and I’ll follow through on that and help those people who gave me a hand and who reached out to me for assistance.”

In his interview, he also expressed worry for the future, saying: “I’ll be honest, I’m worried about the future of the place.”

Councillor Gannon serves on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for the ward of Erne West. He will return to his role as a councillor and a teacher.

Increase

For Alex Elliott and the TUV, despite a large increase in their votes, they still only managed to return one MLA – party leader, Jim Allister.

However, their increase in support showed that the party’s messages about the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Union resonated with many Unionists.

“I would like to publicly say thank-you to the 3,091 TUV voters who put their trust in me in this election,” said Mr. Elliott.

Impartial Reporter:

“I was aware while canvassing in the constituency that an increased number of voters wanted changes in Stormont. Sadly, that hasn’t happened.

“However, I am pleased that many of my votes eventually transferred to pro-life, pro-Union candidates, helping them across the line.”

East of the Bann, the Alliance surge continued to grow; however, the party faced a harder challenge in the west, but as in previous elections, the party’s support has grown.

Local Alliance candidate, Matthew Beaumont, said that the time when there will be an Alliance MLA in Fermanagh and South Tyrone is coming.

‘Thousands’

“People used to laugh at the idea of Alliance standing in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Only a few years ago, maybe hundreds would have been brave enough to ask for better and now, for the second election in a row, multiple thousands of [Alliance voters] have stood up and said they want better.

“Coming off the back of a global pandemic, this was always going to be an exhausting campaign, and it was a very difficult experience.

“Yet we doubled our vote from the last Assembly election – whilst the votes of other parties dropped, Alliance doubled in size.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and to those wanting an Alliance MLA in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, our time will come. Sadly, it is not today, but who knows how soon the next Assembly election will be.

“Whenever that election is, you be guaranteed that Alliance will be ready to stand up and fight for you and your loved ones,” Mr. Beaumont added.

IN PICTURES: The Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly election count