Durkan targets Paisley in election campaign

SDLP leader Mark Durkan was today launching a fresh party offensive to thwart anti-Good Friday Agreement unionists winning crucial Assembly election seats.

Party sources said the former Stormont Deputy First Minister would concentrate his attack on the Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists, emphasising that the tightest margin of votes could determine if pro- or anti-Agreement parties win seats.

An SDLP source said: “We believe there are at least five constituencies which could fall into DUP hands which would be bad for the process.

“Our argument is simple. Only the SDLP can stop the DUP from taking their seats.

“Only a handful of votes could determine the way seats fall on November 26.”

The SDLP is defending crucial seats in West Belfast, Lagan Valley and East Antrim where the DUP are hoping to make gains.

Mark Durkan’s party has also targeted new seats in Strangford and North Down and possible gains in North Antrim and South Antrim where the DUP would hope to poll strongly.

However under the proportional representation system, transfers between candidates will be crucial.

Sinn Féin was today launching its election website in Belfast.

The party’s campaigning has been low-key but is beginning to pick up pace.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams yesterday launched the party’s campaign in Belfast and said it was targeting a third of the Assembly seats in the city.

He said Sinn Féin was hoping to secure five seats in his constituency, two in North Belfast and pick up one in the south of the city.

Sinn Féin currently has five Assembly seats in Belfast.