THE DEMOCRATIC Unionist Party (DUP) candidate in the European elections, Diane Dodds, has described the poll on June 4th in Northern Ireland as a “defining election”.
Ms Dodds, at the launch of the DUP campaign or “battle bus” outside Stormont yesterday, said it was certain a woman candidate would head the poll – either her or Sinn Féin’s Bairbre de Brún.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the election would serve as a mid-term test of opinion on Sinn Féin and the DUP. Addressing the launch of SDLP’s campaign, he accused the two leading parties in the Executive of “unimaginative” behaviour in office.
He criticised both parties for conducting a “sectarian vanity contest” through their emphasis on the need to top the poll.
“It is not a question of who tops the poll but of the bottom line issues,” he said.
SDLP candidate Alban Maginness said the incumbent MEPs from Sinn Féin, Traditional Unionist Voice and the Ulster Unionists “had no influence or record in Europe”. “Only with the SDLP can you restore your voice in Europe and faith in government,” said Mr Maginness.
Sitting MEP Jim Allister, ahead of the formal launch of his campaign next week, accused his former DUP colleagues of hoisting Sinn Féin “to the top of the government pole as joint First Minister”.