Naomi Long, leader of the Alliance party, has announced that she will stand as a candidate in the Belfast East constituency in the general election. Long previously held the seat from 2010 until 2015, losing it to the DUP’s Gavin Robinson. Robinson retained the seat in both the 2017 and 2019 elections, defeating Long each time. It has been confirmed that Long will remain as Stormont’s justice minister throughout the election campaign, making her the only minister in the executive to run for election while retaining a portfolio at Stormont.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme, Long acknowledged that her decision to run for election was not a straightforward one. However, she stated that her focus would remain on fulfilling her responsibilities as justice minister while campaigning. Long argued that given the big issues expected to dominate the local political agenda at Westminster in the next parliament, it was important that more Alliance MPs are elected to shape the debate.
The Alliance party currently holds one seat at Westminster, won in the North Down constituency for the first time in 2019. A full list of candidates standing in all 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland will be available on BBC News NI after nominations close on 7 June.
Long’s decision to run in the Belfast East constituency sets up a personal and political battle with Gavin Robinson. Robinson previously defeated Long by 2,000 votes when she challenged him for the seat in 2015. If Long were to win this time around, it would mark a significant victory for Alliance as she would become the party’s second Westminster MP. However, Long will face criticism for remaining as justice minister during the campaign, with other parties arguing that it will impact her ability to focus on her day job.
The election in Belfast East is expected to be an intense battle, with other parties vying for the DUP’s traditional supporter base in the constituency. The presence of Sinn Féin and SDLP candidates this time around will also be a factor. The contest has been described as the showdown of election night
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