Elected

These are some of the recognisable politicians from Northern Ireland who won seats at Westminster on Thursday (but declared on Friday, and in some cases Saturday. Ballot counters in Northern Ireland don't work through the night; they have a wee sleep before they get started the following morning):

Ian Paisley
Member of Parliament for North Antrim
Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party



Gerry Adams
Member of Parliament for West Belfast
President of Sinn Fein




Martin McGuinness
Member of Parliament for Mid Ulster
Chief Negotiator, Sinn Fein





Paul Durkan
Member of Parliament for Foyle
Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party






Meanwhile, while the politicians above bicker, these British Labour MPs are charged with running Northern Ireland. Their roles are more of an apprenticeship, testing if they are suitable for cabinet selection:

Peter Hain
Member of Parliament for Neath (Wales)
Newly appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which will be combined with his role as the Welsh Secretary (eh?!)

John Spellar
Member of Parliament for Warley (Midlands)
NIO Minister without specific portfilio, but has spoken on transport, environment and security matters

Angela Smith
Member of Parliament for Basildon (East Anglia)
NIO Health Minister





Ian Pearson
Member of Parliament for Dudley South (Midlands)
NIO Finance Minister




Barry Gardiner
Member of Parliament for Brent North (NW London)
NIO Education Minister