Orfhlaith Begley became MP for West Tyrone at the age of 26 after a by-election in May 2018. The by-election was called following the resignation of the previous Sinn Fein MP, Barry McElduff, over a controversial social media video he posted of himself on the anniversary of the Kingsmills atrocity. A native of Carrickmore, Ms Begley is the first female MP to represent the constituency since its creation in 1997. A trained solicitor, she does not sit in the House of Commons. Her father Sean served 26 years as a Sinn Fein councillor on Omagh District Council.
Constituency: West Tyrone
| Electorate | Seats | Total Poll | Turnout | Valid Poll | Spoiled Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66,259 | 1 | 41,375 | 62.44% | 41,186 | 189 |
Vote Distribution
Left Right
Count Results
| Candidate | 1 |
|---|---|
|
|
16544 |
|
|
9066 |
|
|
7330 |
|
|
3979 |
|
|
2774 |
|
|
972 |
|
|
521 |
On the Ballot
Thomas Buchanan was a member of Omagh District Council for 21 years and was first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2003, representing West Tyrone. Before entering full-time politics, the MLA was a building contractor.
Stephen Donnelly made history in May when he became the first ever Alliance councillor to be elected on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, as part of what was dubbed the Alliance surge. Mr Donnelly now works full-time as a councillor, representing Omagh. Having graduated from QUB with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Stephen has worked as a Risk Analyst in the financial services sector.
Susan Glass was selected by the Green Party to stand for Fermanagh and Omagh Council in the Omagh electoral area in May's local Government Election. She is one of only three Green Party Westminster candidates in Northern Ireland after leader Clare Bailey said the party would prioritise Remain in this election. She is running on an anti-mining campaign.
James Hope is one of seven Aontu candidates contesting the December 12 election. The pro-life republican party was formed in January. It is contesting the poll on an abstentionist ticket.
Daniel McCrossan from Victoria Bridge near Strabane was co-opted to the Northern Ireland Assembly in January 2016 to replace Joe Byrne for whom he previously worked as a constituency assistant. He was elected as MLA for West Tyrone later that year. A former Policing Board member, he studied law at Liverpool John Moores University.
Andy McKane was selected by the UUP to replace disqualified councillor Derek Hussey on Derry City and Strabane District Council, representing Derg, in August. Mr McKane is from the Cranagh area. He unsuccessfully stood as a UUP candidate in the Sperrin electoral area in May's local government election. A trade unionist, he has a background of over 30 years in mental health work for the NHS.
- Awaiting Results
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Sinn Fein
- Social Democratic and Labour Party
- Alliance Party
