The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, yesterday countered speculation his party could lose up to five of its nine Westminster seats as the British general election was officially called for June 7th.
The North's First Minister dismissed predictions of a UUP "meltdown" and claimed private polls indicated his party's candidates would be "comfortably back . . . and with some gains under our belt".
"I have no doubt that this is going to be a good election for the UUP and this is not just me sniffing the wind, this is on the basis of true, concrete, objective evidence that is there if people simply looked at it." Mr Peter Robinson, the DUP deputy leader and the party's director of elections, said recent Westminster by-elections had already illustrated a "massive swing" to his party by unionist voters.
"The 7th of June will bring the tale and David Trimble, I'm afraid, will have tears in his eyes when that day is over." Mr Robinson said a vote for his party would "stop the rot" and put things right in Northern Ireland.
"If they [unionist voters] want someone to take a strong stance against IRA concessions, they know that only the DUP can deliver on that." Ms Brid Rodgers of the SDLP, a Westminster candidate in the West Tyrone constituency - billed as one of the tightest races of the 18 constituencies - welcomed yesterday's confirmation of the election date by the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair.
She said the announcement marked the countdown to the end of the political career of Mr William Thompson, the current anti-agreement UUP incumbent in the constituency.
The people of West Tyrone were "sick and tired" of the way Willie Thompson had abused his role as MP in an attempt to unravel the agreement, she said. Mr Pat Doherty, a Sinn Fein candidate in West Tyrone, said the general election came at a "crucial time" in the process. "It is critical that the republican voice is strengthened in the negotiations which will follow." He predicted his party would have a "good election" and was fielding more candidates than ever before.
The Alliance Party leader, Mr Sean Neeson, yesterday said "time had now run out" for further electoral pact talks with the UUP or the SDLP. However, Alliance has already stepped aside in six constituencies as an "honest attempt" to protect the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Neeson said because the general and local elections were both scheduled for June 7th it was important not to neglect the important contest for seats on 26 local councils.
Mr Billy Hutchinson of the Progressive Unionist Party said he would decide at a party constituency meeting tonight if he would stand as a Westminster candidate in north Belfast. A predicted split in the unionist vote there could leave the seat up for grabs between Sinn Fein and the SDLP.
He said the party would also be announcing about 19 candidates for the local elections on Friday.
Meanwhile, a total of 28 parties have registered with the electoral commission in London to contest the elections in Northern Ireland.
The familiar party names join on the register the Newtownabbey Ratepayers Association, No Candidate Deserves My Vote Party, and the Legalise Cannabis Alliance Party. The list also includes 11 separate unionist party groupings.