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Hermon retains North Down seat Hermon retains North Down seat
(4 days later)
Lady Sylvia Hermon has been re-elected an an independent in North Down.Lady Sylvia Hermon has been re-elected an an independent in North Down.
She had been the Ulster Unionists' only MP but left the party earlier this year over links with the Tories.She had been the Ulster Unionists' only MP but left the party earlier this year over links with the Tories.
She polled 21,181 votes ahead of Ian Parsley of Ulster Conservative and Unionists - New Force with 6,817.She polled 21,181 votes ahead of Ian Parsley of Ulster Conservative and Unionists - New Force with 6,817.
Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party pollled 1,876 votes, the TUV's Mary Kilpatrick, 1,634, Steven Agnew (Green) 1,043, Liam Logan (SDLP) 680 and Vincent Parker (Sinn Fein) 250. Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party polled 1,876 votes, the TUV's Mary Kilpatrick, 1,634, Steven Agnew (Green) 1,043, Liam Logan (SDLP) 680 and Vincent Parker (Sinn Fein) 250.
Lady Hermon, the widow of former RUC Chief Constable Sir John Hermon, has held North Down since 2001.
She left the UUP in March of this year over the party's alliance with the Conservatives.
After the result was announced, she said: "It has been a lonely furrow, I have to say, being an independent.
"It has also been lonely, in fact, as you know my husband died in November 2008 - so this is the first election I have fought without Jack at home.
"But to all those who have encouraged me and supported me and told me I could do this and do it in style, thank you for the confidence you instilled in me."
She said she would be her own person in the Commons and would not take any party whip.