North parties to begin campaigning for May election

The North’s political parties are due to begin campaigning later today for the upcoming British general election.

The election, scheduled for May 5, is expected to be bitterly fought in several constituencies and the outcome could be vital for the peace process.

At present, the Democratic Unionist Party has six seats, the Ulster Unionist Party five, Sinn Féin four and the SDLP three.

The DUP has said it expects to take the East Antrim seat from the UUP next month, while it is also mounting a major challenge UUP leader David Trimble in Upper Bann.

Sinn Féin, meanwhile, has said it expects to replace the SDLP in Newry/Armagh, where Seamus Mallon is stepping down as a MP.

It is also hoping to seriously challenge SDLP leader Mark Durkan, who is standing in the Foyle constituency as a replacement for John Hume.