Compiled by EveryElectionResult.com's data team · Last updated 2026-08-30
East Down was won by Irish Unionist at the 1918 general election, with a majority of 1,645 votes over Irish Parliamentary Party. This page covers every general election in East Down from 1885 to 1918.
Full Election History, 1885–1918
Election
Elected
Votes
Vote Share
Runner-up
Majority
Turnout
1885
Richard William Blackwood Ker (Irish Unionist)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
1886
Richard William Blackwood Ker (Irish Unionist)
5,093
66.5%
Henry McGrath (Irish Parliamentary Party)
2,532 (33.1 pts)
78.1%
1892
James Alexander Rentoul (Irish Unionist)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
1895
James Alexander Rentoul (Irish Unionist)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
1900
James Alexander Rentoul (Irish Unionist)
Elected unopposed — no other candidate stood, no vote count on record
0.0%
1906
James Craig (Irish Unionist)
4,011
54.6%
James Wood (Russellite Unionist)
670 (9.1 pts)
91.1%
Dec 1910
James Craig (Irish Unionist)
4,110
63.0%
James Williamson (Liberal)
1,698 (26.0 pts)
82.6%
Jan 1910
James Craig (Irish Unionist)
4,028
56.9%
James Wood (Liberal)
974 (13.8 pts)
89.7%
1918
David Douglas Reid (Irish Unionist)
6,007
42.2%
Michael Johnston (Irish Parliamentary Party)
1,645 (11.6 pts)
79.8%
Full Result Breakdown by Election
1885
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
Richard William Blackwood Ker
Irish Unionist
Unopposed
Yes
1886
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
Richard William Blackwood Ker
Irish Unionist
5,093
66.5%
Yes
Henry McGrath
Irish Parliamentary Party
2,561
33.5%
No
1892
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Alexander Rentoul
Irish Unionist
Unopposed
Yes
1895
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Alexander Rentoul
Irish Unionist
Unopposed
Yes
1900
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Alexander Rentoul
Irish Unionist
Unopposed
Yes
1906
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Craig
Irish Unionist
4,011
54.6%
Yes
James Wood
Russellite Unionist
3,341
45.4%
No
Dec 1910
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Craig
Irish Unionist
4,110
63.0%
Yes
James Williamson
Liberal
2,412
37.0%
No
Jan 1910
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
James Craig
Irish Unionist
4,028
56.9%
Yes
James Wood
Liberal
3,054
43.1%
No
1918
Candidate
Party
Votes
Share
Elected
David Douglas Reid
Irish Unionist
6,007
42.2%
Yes
Michael Johnston
Irish Parliamentary Party
4,362
30.6%
No
Russell McNabb
Sinn Féin
3,876
27.2%
No
Margin Over Time
Winning margin (percentage points) at each election, coloured by the winning party.
Trend
East Down has been contested at 9 general elections on record since 1885. Parties that have won a seat here over that span: Irish Unionist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won East Down in the 1918 general election?
Irish Unionist won East Down in 1918 with 6,007 votes (42.2%), a majority of 1,645 votes over Irish Parliamentary Party in second place.
Which parties have won East Down since 1885?
Since 1885, East Down has been won by: Irish Unionist.
What was the closest result in East Down?
The closest result on record for East Down was 1906, when Irish Unionist beat Russellite Unionist by just 670 votes (9.1 percentage points).