Ind regained this seat from APNI — last held it in 2017.
MP News Approval i
+68
Alex Easton
IndependentAlex Easton is the Independent MP for North Down, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
MPs voted on a Conservative 'reasoned amendment' to block the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill from progressing, which would have transferred more powers from central government to mayors and local areas across England. The opposition argued the Bill lacked sufficient accountability and scrutiny of local leaders, while the government said England is too centralised and devolution is essential for growth.
MPs voted on new regulations to restrict foreign state ownership of British newspapers, setting limits on how much stake a foreign power can hold in a UK news enterprise. The Liberal Democrats raised concerns that the proposed 15% threshold was too permissive and could still allow damaging foreign influence.
MPs voted to approve regulations that would allow the government to require 'not for EU' labelling on retail goods sold across Great Britain, if needed to prevent products being withdrawn from sale in Northern Ireland due to post-Brexit trade rules.
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Sign up freeCoverage of North Down has been mixed for Alex across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“UUP Criticises Executive Failure to Implement Minimum Unit Pricing For Alcohol” — 4NI - Internet Directory and Portal
“Four teenagers have been charged over assault on man and rescue dog” — TheLiberal.ie
Represented by Ind since 2024.
Blair Mayne: Priceless archive of SAS soldier may never be open to public
BBC · 8 Apr 2026
Sign up free to see how Alex Easton votes, their stance profile, speeches, and committee roles.
Sign up free| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ind | 20,913 | 48.3% | |
Won 2019 GE | APNI | 13,608 | 31.4% |
| UUP | 6,754 | 15.6% | |
| Ind | 1,247 | 2.9% | |
| SDLP | 657 | 1.5% | |
| Ind | 117 | 0.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| APNI | 18,358 | 45.2% | |
Won 2024 GE | DUP | 15,390 | 37.9% |
| UUP | 4,936 | 12.1% | |
| Con | 1,959 | 4.8% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Ind | 16,148 | 41.2% |
Won 2024 GE | DUP | 14,940 | 38.1% |
| APNI | 3,639 | 9.3% | |
| Ind | 2,549 | 6.5% | |
| Con | 941 | 2.4% | |
| SF | 531 | 1.4% | |
| SDLP | 400 | 1.0% | |
| Ind | 37 | 0.1% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2010 GE | Ind | 17,689 | 49.2% |
Won 2024 GE | DUP | 8,487 | 23.6% |
| APNI | 3,086 | 8.6% | |
| Ind | 1,958 | 5.5% | |
| Con | 1,593 | 4.4% | |
| Ind | 1,482 | 4.1% | |
| TUV | 686 | 1.9% | |
| SDLP | 355 | 1.0% | |
| Ind | 338 | 0.9% | |
| SF | 273 | 0.8% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Ind | 21,181 | 63.3% |
| Ind | 6,817 | 20.4% | |
Won 2019 GE | APNI | 1,876 | 5.6% |
| TUV | 1,634 | 4.9% | |
| Ind | 1,043 | 3.1% | |
| SDLP | 680 | 2.0% | |
| SF | 250 | 0.8% |
Alex Easton has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
17 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
A significant archive of SAS founder Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, stored in Newtownards, cannot open to the public due to lack of funding for museum accreditation and building renovation. North Down MP Alex Easton has written to the Northern Ireland Secretary requesting support to secure the collection's future.
Belfast City Airport has invested nearly £750,000 through its Community Fund since 2009, supporting 248 projects across greater Belfast and North Down. The article highlights the airport's commitment to social and economic impact through education programmes, apprenticeships, and community initiatives.
Northern Ireland is building fewer homes than a decade ago despite a severe housing crisis, with home starts down from 7,457 in 2016 to 6,624 in 2025. Rents have surged dramatically, rising 51% regionally since 2020 and 57% specifically in Ards and North Down (up to £991/month), with Belfast now exceeding £1,000/month. The article highlights regional disparities and political criticism of government failure to address the crisis.
Ards and North Down Council's Planning Committee approved a controversial 29-dwelling residential development beside the Duck Pond in Newtownards after a year-long deferral. The approval follows concerns about industrial zoning and previous failed nursing home/retirement schemes on the same site, though the planning officer confirmed residential use has been established through prior approvals.
Four teenagers have been charged following a violent assault on Ryan Gray, founder of K9 Search and Rescue, and his trained dog Max in Bangor, Co Down. The incident involved a group of 15-20 youths and resulted in multiple charges including assault and animal cruelty; MP Alex Easton condemned the attack and praised Gray's volunteer search and rescue work.
Ards and North Down Borough Council debated a DUP motion requesting a feasibility study for a bridge across Strangford Lough between Portaferry and Strangford village. SDLP Councillor Joe Boyle opposed the motion, arguing that immediate priorities should be improving the existing ferry service rather than pursuing an expensive bridge project that the Department for Infrastructure has indicated won't be considered until at least 2035.
The Ards International Guitar Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary in April 2026 with a diverse programme featuring international and local musicians, hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council. The festival includes performances from renowned guitarists, a tribute to John Martyn, and an exhibition on guitar-making heritage at Ards Arts Centre.
A £17m UK government scheme to help households with oil-fired heating costs faces delays and uncertainty over implementation, with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council unanimously calling on Stormont to act urgently as 68% of Northern Ireland homes rely on heating oil. Prices remain significantly elevated despite recent modest drops, leaving families struggling with costs nearly 88% higher than pre-conflict levels.
Hannah Irwin, a rising Alliance councillor in Ards and North Down, has resigned from politics, making her the fourth Alliance councillor in the borough to quit in less than three years. She served as deputy mayor from 2023-2024 and was considered a promising talent, but did not disclose specific reasons for her departure, though she pledged continued support for the party.
Fuel prices across Northern Ireland have surged sharply following geopolitical tensions, with diesel now averaging 169.7p per litre and petrol 144.6p per litre. The article includes specific price data for North Down and highlights prolonged elevated heating oil costs affecting consumers in the constituency.
A former Green Party MLA who represented North Down until 2022 is frustrated that domestic abuse paid leave legislation she sponsored has not been implemented four years after Stormont passed it, while similar miscarriage leave regulations are being introduced. The delay is causing concern among unions and domestic abuse advocates who see the measure as essential employment protection.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart has written to the Treasury complaining about fuel taxation and inadequate government support as petrol, diesel, and heating oil prices have surged following Middle East tensions. The article highlights that Northern Ireland households are particularly vulnerable, with 60% relying on heating oil, and notes that fuel prices across the Province remain significantly elevated despite some recent modest declines.
Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers, who represents North Down, has strongly criticised the Northern Ireland Executive's failure to implement Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol, blaming the DUP's use of an executive veto for blocking the measure. Chambers argues the evidence supporting MUP is overwhelming and that the decision will result in preventable deaths and continued strain on health services, while praising Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's leadership on the issue.
UK competition watchdog announces veterinary reforms including capped prescription fees (£21 first medicine, £12.50 additional), mandatory price transparency, and a price comparison website. James Buick, co-owner of ACE Vets in North Down and East Belfast, supports the measures as 'common sense' while acknowledging implementation challenges.
A scheduling clash between the Ulster Pipe Band Championships and a Fleadh Fringe event in Bangor has sparked significant political division within Ards and North Down Council, with unionists and nationalists accusing each other of bias. The council has allocated more funding to the Fleadh Fringe despite the conflict, and the decision is set to be rubber-stamped at Wednesday's council meeting.
BBC's Antiques Roadshow will film at Bangor Castle in North Down on July 26 as part of its 49th series. Free tickets are now available for local people and visitors to bring antiques and family heirlooms to be valued by specialist experts.
The BBC's Antiques Roadshow will film its 40th season at Bangor Castle in Co Down on July 26, with presenter Fiona Bruce and specialist experts. The event is free to attend and offers locals the opportunity to have their treasured items valued and share their stories.
North Down Marquees has acquired Table 10, a local Bangor-based event and catering equipment hire firm, marking expansion of its event services division. The acquisition consolidates 34 staff and strengthens the company's market position while advancing sustainability initiatives through reusable event cups across major Northern Ireland venues.
Alan Chambers, a former North Down councillor, reflects on his conversion from skepticism to enthusiastic support for international outreach activities. He describes how his participation in Sister Cities International delegations led to significant cultural and business exchanges for Northern Ireland, culminating in bringing the SCI's 50th anniversary conference to Belfast in 2009.
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