former Alliance MP Steven Ferry won't be stepping into his party colleague sorca Eastwood's seat in Stormont according to miss Eastwood herself she who entered the Northern Ireland assembly in 2022 was elected as MP for Lagan Valley in the recent general election replacing Mr Ferry who lost to Independent unionist Alex Easton speaking on BBC News and I Sunday politics Miss Eastwood explained that Alliance party operates through a structured process and that they're now working within a tight time frame to determine who will take the seat she expressed admiration for Mr Ferry emphasizing his potential contributions in any sphere of life stormo's co-option system was designed to maintain political balance without the expense of byelections meanwhile the dup faced setbacks in the election losing three seats including Ian Paisley's in North antrum held by The Paisley family since 1970 reflecting on the Dub's performance North Belfast MLA Philip Brett acknowledged the challenges ahead for the party to address voter turnout issues and build on their successes elsewhere the olster unionist party's Robin Swan secured victory in South entrum highlighting the party's need to maintain influence in Westminster Tom Elliot's moved to the House of Lords raises questions about his stormon seat which Lord MP expects him to eventually relinquish the sdlp retained both sitting MPS colum Eastwood and Clare Hannah affirming a comfortable hold in their constituencies Shin finds John finane reelected in Belfast North declined to disclose exact earnings reiterating the party's abstentionist stance these developments underscore a dynamic political landscape in Northern Ireland following the recent elections