North: Kennedy lends support to Alliance party

Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy will today lend his support to the cross community Alliance Party in its bid for Northern Assembly seats.

Mr Kennedy is the second major political figure from across the Irish sea to take part in the Assembly Election campaign.

On Monday Conservative leader David Cameron paid a flying visit to the seaside town of Bangor, Co Down to support the Northern Tories’ campaign.

Enda Kenny, the leader of the Fine Gael, also travelled North of the border to back the nationalist SDLP’s campaign in Newry.

Mr Kennedy, who has supported previous Alliance election campaigns, will join the party’s candidates in a number of constituencies where they are hoping to gain or retain Stormont seats.

He will campaign alongside Alliance leader David Ford, deputy leader Naomi Long and Anna Lo who is targeting a seat in South Belfast.

Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey will bring his party’s campaign to Derry.

He will join the party’s Foyle candidate Peter Munce for the launch of a special manifesto targeted at voters in the west of the province.

The North goes to the polls on March 7 to elect a new Assembly, with British prime minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern hoping it will lead to the formation of a power sharing government next month.