Growing up in Lagan Valley, Sorcha Eastwood saw nobody she identified with in local politics. “It was all grey men in grey suits,” she says.
“Jim Molyneaux was the big cheese, and all the others seemed to be from the same mould. There literally wasn’t a woman about the place.
“It was very dull, and it certainly wasn’t diverse. As a schoolgirl, I took an interest in politics. I was passionate about discrimination, disability rights, and domestic abuse.
“I wrote my first letter to the council when I was in P4. I made a ‘Vote Eastwood’ poster in P5.”
Former SDLP candidate Ally Haydock with Sorcha Eastwood
Molyneaux, then Ulster Unionist leader, was Lagan Valley MP for 14 years. He was succeeded by his protege, Jeffrey Donaldson, who has held the Westminster seat for 25 years.
In a week’s time, Eastwood (36) goes head-to-head with Donaldson and his colleague, Paul Givan, in the Stormont election. She was reared just three streets away from Givan in Lisburn.
“I’ve every respect for Paul, although I find it strange that we grew up so close together yet our politics are so different.”
The Alliance vote in the constituency had hovered between 9% and 14% in every Assembly election. Solid, not spectacular. But then something remarkable happened in the 2019 Westminster election.
Eastwood — just elected to council seven months earlier —stood and secured a staggering 29% vote, reducing Donaldson’s majority from 19,000 to 6,000.
This is her first Assembly run in Lagan Valley. She is joined on the ticket by Councillor David Honeyford and the party believes both can be elected.
On a sparkling spring evening, a big Alliance team sweeps through the new Ayrshire housing development, home to many young professionals.
Among the canvassers is Ally Haydock (25) who was the SDLP’s Westminster candidate in 2019 and used to work for its MLA Pat Catney. “I switched because I wasn’t nationalist or unionist. I felt Alliance was the best choice for me. It’s a perfect fit,” she says.
The canvass highlights how much Lagan Valley is changing. Although still predominantly unionist, it’s becoming more liberal and religiously mixed.
A Lithuanian woman opens one door. “I don’t really know about Northern Ireland politics but my wife does and she’s voting for you,” she tells Eastwood.
“I’m Sara and I follow you on Twitter,” a mother in the next street says. “You work hard and you work for everyone.
“You’re always so positive. We need to move away from all the old nonsense. The DUP are stuck in the past. Lisburn is lucky to have you.”
“Thank you, missus,” Eastwood tells her. “We need more passion, vibrancy and colour in this town.”
Young couple Emma McKinstry and Stuart Ewing are both voting Alliance. “We have to move away from tribal voting. It’s so negative to support one side just to keep the other out,” says Stuart. “The DUP and UUP don’t reflect this area.”
Rachel opens the door a little out of breath from a workout. “Anybody but the DUP,” she says.
“I know they’re not monsters but they’re not in the 21st century either.
“They’re homophobic and their position on abortion is unkind to women. They’ve closed minds and closed hearts.”
Another young woman Rebecca, who is just back from the gym, is undecided and says she wants to study every candidate’s election literature.
“Alliance is the second biggest party in Lagan Valley,” Eastwood tells her. “I need women like you to come out and support women like me.
“We show up for work. We don’t shirk our responsibilities. We get the job done.”
A couple with a baby walking a Dalmatian say they’re unlikely to vote. Eastwood asks what the main issue is for them. “Childcare,” says the man. “My mummy looks after my brother’s wee ones. He’s lucky because otherwise it would be unaffordable,” the candidate replies.
One man who knows his mind is Andrew Hagen. “I’d be a bit more hardline than Alliance,” he tells Eastwood. “I don’t support power-sharing. I’m anti-Belfast Agreement and I’m pro-Brexit.”
Yet he banters with her and wishes her good luck. “I’ve been in your shoes,” he says. “I’ve canvassed for the DUP. I voted for them all my life, but never again.
“How could you support a party whose leader wanted to leave and join another one?” Hagen won’t vote TUV but will stay at home on May 5.
Ciaran, who opens the door barefoot, has a very different worldview. “You don’t even have to ask, Sorcha.
“We need to get the DUP out. I hear Jeffrey’s a nice guy personally, but the party is totally unreasonable. We’re a united community here in Lisburn, we don’t want divisive politics.
“The DUP brought down Stormont over the protocol. I work in the supply chain and I know there are issues to iron out, but they’re over-egging them. It’s not the end of the world.”
Eastwood says she’s canvassed the loyalist Old Warren and Hillhall estates, “and there’s not been one mention of the protocol”.
During lockdown, families from north and west Belfast moved to the area for its bigger houses and gardens, she says. Others from more rural parts have also settled in Lagan Valley because it’s an easier commute to work in Belfast.
Sean, originally from Andersonstown, voted for People Before Profit’s Gerry Carroll in the last election. He doesn’t think he’ll vote next week, but his wife is supporting Alliance.
Stephen, who is also from west Belfast, says he’s switching from the SDLP to Alliance because he believes it’s best placed to challenge the DUP.
Like many residents, he bemoans the failure to develop a night-time economy in the town and the “lacklustre” Bow Street Mall — “it’s dreadful, there’s nothing there”. The DUP is criticised for not working to improve Lisburn.
There is a warm welcome for Alliance from Daniel Donnelly — recently moved into the area from Magherafelt — and his Bernese mountain dog Milo.
“I’m fed up with years of tribal politics,” he tells the candidate. “I like Alliance’s anti-sectarianism and stance on social issues.
“We have to build a Northern Ireland for everyone. Stormont should never have been collapsed. The DUP is making a fuss over the protocol, but they’re the party that wanted Brexit.”
Lorna Smyth is one of only two women standing for the TUV. An RAF veteran and single mother, she returned from England to live in Newtownards with her four-year-old daughter in 2019.
TUV candidate for Lagan Valley Lorna Smyth out canvassing in Kinallen meeting farmer Harold English
She is studying history at Ulster University and joined the TUV last year. “I was horrified at the failure of the DUP and UUP to defend unionist interests,” she says.
“Nationalists have been making major gains. Sinn Fein is pushing hard for a united Ireland. Irish language legislation is coming our way, and there is an Irish Sea border in place.
“It’s time to end doormat unionism.”
Most people in the village of Kinallen, outside Dromore, aren’t at home when the TUV calls.
“Don’t come too close, we’ve all got Covid,” says one woman who does answer the door.
A man in a pink polo shirt says he will vote unionist but needs “to do a bit of research”. Farmer Harold English says he may support Smyth. The TUV woman marches past big barking dogs to knock doors. “Someone greeted me with a python around their neck in Moira the other day, so I take dogs in my stride,” she jokes.
Canvassing with the SDLP’s Pat Catney is not for the faint-hearted. In Thaxton Village, just outside Lisburn, he bursts into song. Sinatra is followed by Elvis. “I’m the singing politician. How about a song for a vote? I’m taking requests now,” he declares.
“For godsake Pat we’ll have the Electoral Office onto us if you say that,” laughs canvasser Conchur Moore.
The SDLP man defeated the DUP in 2017 for the fifth Lagan Valley seat. This time, the battle may be between him and the second Alliance candidate.
Catney (67) worked in the pub trade for over half a century, and it shows. “I’m from a few miles up the road in Moira,” he says, “I started behind the bar in The Four Trees as a schoolboy.
“I moved onto The Liverpool in Belfast in the 70s and then I bought The Kitchen Bar. You learn how to banter with people. As a barman, you need to have one-liners, to be quick, because you only have a short time with a customer.”
“My name’s Pat Catney, I can see you’re doing a bit of weeding,” he tells Alison Franklin who has just moved into Thaxton. “I’d get down and help you but the old joints are stiff and you’d probably need a crane to get me lifted.”
SDLP candidate for Lagan Valley Pat Catney meets Gerard Haughey and baby Odhran while out canvassing
Alison hasn’t decided who she’ll vote for. “Look, there are a lot of political weeds at Stormont we need to get rid of. So if you want somebody positive and progressive, I’m your man.”
Laura McCrea stops with her three-year-old son Rudy to chat to the SDLP candidate. “I normally vote Alliance, but I could be persuaded,” she says.
“I lived in south Belfast and I voted for Claire Hanna. I was raised a Protestant but I’m not impressed with unionist politicians. I want to vote for a liberal party — that’s pro-gay rights and pro-choice.”
Catney tells her that a vote for him is a vote for the progressive middle ground: “I’ve four children — one daughter is married to a Methodist and the other to a Church of Ireland fella.
“I never cared about the religion of who they bought home over the years. Ours was an open house. I work for everybody in this constituency — 70% of my caseload is from the unionist community.”
Gerard Duff is out for a stroll with his daughters — Jessica (5) and Hannah (3) — who are pushing prams full of cuddly toys. “My daddy knows you from the pub, Pat,” he tells the SDLP man.
“This is a good place to live, and I want to make it better,” Catney says. “I’m not up in Stormont for myself. I’m there for the betterment of others.
“You’ve wee girls here, and I’ve three young grand-daughters. I got a bill passed the other week which will be very good for them all when they’re older.”
Catney tells him about his period poverty bill which means free period products will be available in schools, universities, and government buildings.
“When it gets the royal assent next month, I’m going to frame it and hang it on my wall,” he says.
Gerard Haughey opens the door with his nine-week-old son Odhran in his arms. Catney congratulates him heartily. “There are things far more important than politics. Have you had a drink or a puff on a cigar yet?” he asks.
Thaxton residents objected to loyalists from the Ballymacash estate erecting flags near their religiously mixed development last year.
“I wouldn’t mind a few in July and August, but there were three flags on every lamp-post from May to September. It’s not on,” Gerard says.
The young father says he’d normally vote Sinn Fein “but I’ll support you this time Pat to help save your seat.”
