At the 1987 UK general election, he stood in Belfast West, receiving 18.7% of the votes cast.

Belfast West is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Belfast Central was created by the division of Belfast West into four new constituencies.

For the 1992 general election he moved to contest Belfast West, and has contested this unsuccessfully at each subsequent election.

In further revisions in 1995 it lost some areas to both Belfast West and Strangford.

This constituency had, with Belfast West, the lowest turnout of voters in the Province at 59%.

Belfast West was redistributed into the following areas.

He decided to represent Belfast West.

This ward is now split between Belfast West and Lagan Valley.

Belfast West, was a former potential Dáil Éireann parliamentary constituency.