THE British election offered voters in Northern Ireland an opportunity to choose between the "hopeless politics of the past or of moving forward into a new future," the president of Sinn Fein, Mr Gerry Adams, said yesterday.
The Westminster poll could be a turning point in the peace process, he said.
Mr Adams was speaking at a press conference in Belfast yesterday with Mr Martin McGuinness, who is standing for the party in Mid Ulster and Mr Pat Doherty, who is contesting West Tyrone.
"Sinn Fein believes that this election provides a new opportunity to restore the peace process," he said. "We seek a mandate for credible peace talks with the unionist people and a new future as equals for all the people of this island.
"Our canvass returns indicate a strong result for our party right across all constituencies. We are seeking a pact with the electorate. Sinn Fein is a party to be trusted."
Mr Adams, who is standing in West Belfast, said that the election of Sinn Fein MPs would send a "resounding message to the incoming British government that inclusive dialogue and honest negotiations, based on equality, are essential to the ending of conflict and the achievement of a negotiated peace settlement."