Sinn Féin targets historic Strangford breakthrough with Chris Hazzard selection

SINN Féin has set its sights on a historic breakthrough in Strangford, selecting South Down MP Chris Hazzard to contest next May’s Assembly election and become the constituency’s first nationalist MLA.

The party announced Hazzard’s selection on October 21, declaring that revised constituency boundaries had put it in a strong position to win a seat it has never held.

Speaking ahead of the candidate launch at Montalto Estate in Ballynahinch, Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said the election presented an opportunity for voters to bring about political change.“There has never been a Nationalist MLA in Strangford,” she said.

“However, with the new constituency boundaries and the inclusion of new areas for the first time, Sinn Féin is in pole position to win in Strangford.”O’Neill said Hazzard could make history in the constituency, adding that the party was looking ahead with confidence.

Hazzard, who has represented South Down at Westminster for 10 years, previously served as an MLA for the constituency for five years, including as Infrastructure Minister in the Stormont Executive.

He was born and raised in Drumaness, near Ballynahinch, which has moved from South Down into Strangford under the boundary changes. Crossgar, Teconnaught and parts of the Lecale peninsula have also been incorporated into the constituency.

Sinn Féin believes the changes could strengthen its electoral prospects, bringing in voters from areas where nationalist support is traditionally stronger.

Hazzard said he wanted to return to Stormont to represent the constituency where he grew up.“I am honoured to be Sinn Féin’s Strangford candidate,” he said.

“This area is where I was born and raised.”He said he hoped to bring his experience back to the Assembly and work alongside the party’s local representatives.“I am delighted to join a strong Strangford team who are already on the ground working hard, and I want to bring my experience and determination back to the assembly for the people of Strangford.”

The selection places a senior Sinn Féin politician at the centre of a contest that is expected to be particularly competitive next year.

The party has been building its presence in Strangford over recent months, with Hazzard attending events including Comber Farmers’ Market and Portavogie Seafood Festival, as well as gatherings in Cloughey and Portaferry.

It was also encouraged by Noel Sands’ performance in the most recent council election, when he came close to securing a seat.

Boundary changes reshape the race

The revised boundaries are central to Sinn Féin’s hopes of winning in Strangford, but the party faces competition from established parties and candidates.

The retirement of Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong and Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt has added further uncertainty to the election, leaving two incumbent seats open.

Alliance has declared Nick Mathison and Vicky Moore as candidates, while Richard Smart will stand for the Ulster Unionists and Jonathan Jackson for the TUV.

The SDLP has also been seeking an Assembly foothold in Strangford for more than two decades. Ards and North Down councillor Joe Boyle made five unsuccessful attempts to win a seat between 2003 and 2017. His closest effort came in 2007, when he fell 31 votes short. The party’s candidate in the 2022 election, barrister Conor Houston, also failed to secure a seat.

Hazzard’s selection could complicate the SDLP’s efforts, with both parties seeking support among nationalist voters.

A Downpatrick councillor and former chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been rumoured as a possible SDLP candidate, although the party’s selection was not confirmed in the material available.

Potential Westminster by-election

Hazzard’s proposed return to Stormont could also have consequences for Westminster, with a by-election required in South Down if he leaves his parliamentary seat.

Sinn Féin has announced a second MP, Pat Cullen, as an Assembly candidate. The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP will contest South Belfast and Mid Down alongside sitting MLA Deirdre Hargey.

If Cullen is elected and leaves Westminster, a further by-election would follow in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

For Hazzard, the move reflects his desire to focus on politics in Ireland after a decade in the House of Commons.

The Strangford election will test whether Sinn Féin can convert its confidence in the new boundaries and its candidate into a first Assembly seat in the constituency.

With the election scheduled for May 2027, the party has made clear that it intends to make the historic breakthrough a central part of its campaign.