Election 2016: Seven to contest Foyle constituency on May 7

Seven candidates will contest the Foyle (Derry) constituency in next month’s General Election.

After nominations closed yesterday, voters will get to choose their next Westminster MP from six men and a woman.

The May 7 election is expected to be a “two horse race” between sitting MP, Mark Durkan (pictured above), of the SDLP, and Sinn Fein’s Gearoid O hEara.

In the last General Election, Mr Durkan had a majority of 4,824 votes over Sinn Fein’s Martina Anderson.

However, the outcome is expected to be much closer this time given Sinn Fein’s performance in the local government and European elections last May.

The DUP will be represented by their newest MLA, Gary Middleton, while Julia Kee will contest the seat on behalf of the UUP.

David Hawthorne is standing on behalf of the Alliance Party while Hamish Badenoch will represent the Conservatives.

UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party) is standing in Westminster election in Foyle for the first time and will be represented by Kyle Thompson.

The count will take place in Templemore Sports Complex.

The result of the 2010 election was

Eligible Electorate: 65,843

Votes Polled: 38,190

Valid Votes: 37,889

Invalid Votes: 301

Turnout: 58.00%

Martina Anderson (Sinn Féin) 12,098

Maurice Devenney (Democratic Unionist Party, D.U.P.) 4,489

Mark Durkan (SDLP, Social Democratic & Labour Party) 16,922

David Harding (Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force) 1,221

Eamonn Joseph McCann (People Before Profit Alliance) 2,936

Keith McGrellis    (Alliance Party) 223