Andrew Muir and Connie Egan re-selected as Alliance candidates for North Down
Alliance Party MLAs Andrew Muir and Connie Egan have been re-selected to contest the North Down constituency in the 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly election.
The party confirmed that both sitting representatives will seek re-election on Thursday 6 May 2027, with their campaigns focusing on environmental protection, public services, community safety and political reform.
Mr Muir, who serves as Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, highlighted his work on water quality, climate action and sustainable farming, while Ms Egan emphasised her commitment to tackling violence against women and girls and expanding integrated education.
Alliance confirms North Down candidates for 2027 Assembly election
Mr Muir and Ms Egan will represent Alliance in North Down as the party seeks to retain its Assembly representation in the constituency.
Mr Muir said he was proud to call North Down home and described representing the area for more than 15 years as an honour.
He also reflected on his time as Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, highlighting environmental protection and sustainability as important areas of his work.
Mr Muir said he wanted to continue prioritising issues affecting households and communities, arguing that political representatives should focus on delivering practical improvements rather than becoming caught up in division.
Andrew Muir highlights environmental priorities
In announcing his re-selection, Mr Muir pointed to work undertaken during his time as Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister.
He cited efforts to improve water quality at Lough Neagh and Belfast Lough, support nature recovery and respond to climate change.
He also highlighted initiatives relating to sustainable farming and animal welfare.
Mr Muir said these issues demonstrated the importance of government delivering improvements that make a difference to people’s everyday lives.
Environmental protection is expected to remain a significant theme of his campaign for another Assembly term.
Connie Egan focuses on community safety and integrated education
Ms Egan said representing North Down had been a privilege and highlighted her work on issues affecting families and communities.
She identified tackling violence against women and girls as a key priority, alongside expanding integrated education in the constituency.
Ms Egan said there was still more to achieve and that she wanted to continue working towards improvements in healthcare, affordability and public safety.
She also called for a more sustainable future in which communities and the environment could thrive.
Her comments reflected Alliance’s emphasis on cross-community politics and reforms intended to improve the operation of Northern Ireland’s institutions.
Alliance candidates call for Stormont reform
Both candidates used their re-selection announcements to criticise political division and dysfunction at Stormont.
Ms Egan argued that reform was needed to prevent repeated periods of political deadlock and instability.
She said the next Assembly election would provide an opportunity for voters to support a different approach to government, with greater emphasis on cooperation and the delivery of public services.
The Alliance Party has consistently advocated changes to the operation of Northern Ireland’s political institutions, arguing that reform is necessary to improve stability and accountability.
North Down prepares for May 2027 Assembly election
The confirmation of Mr Muir and Ms Egan as candidates comes as political parties across Northern Ireland begin finalising their selections for the next Assembly election.
Voters in North Down will go to the polls on Thursday 6 May 2027 to elect their representatives to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The election will determine the composition of Stormont and help shape the next Executive’s priorities.
For Alliance, retaining its North Down representation will form part of its wider campaign to secure seats across Northern Ireland, with the party presenting environmental protection, public services and political reform as key election issues.
External link: Alliance Party official website
Related: Alliance re-selects Eóin Tennyson for Upper Bann in 2027 Assembly election