Unionists warned against polling day complacency

The odds-on favourite to take the hitherto safest of safe unionist seats is conscious of the damage a combination of a three way split within unionism, the participation of new nationalist electors from Banagher and Claudy and tactical voting by nationalists could wreak.

The concern is due to the total unionist vote of 2005 dividing equally between three candidates - William Ross (TUV), Lesley Macaulay (UCUNF) and Mr Campbell (DUP) - at just 7,574.

This is less than the combined nationalist vote last time out which was 11,786 and does not include new voters from the predominantly nationalist Banagher and Claudy wards which are being targeted by Park-based SDLP Candidate Thomas Conway and Dungiven-based Sinn Fin candidate Cathal hOisn.

If either nationalist candidate is successful in mobilising localised support and manages to draw enough tactical votes from his rival with the unionist vote split a Sinn Fin or SDLP candidate could take a seat in the area for the first time in history.

A spokesperson for the SDLP said the party actually believe this is possible stating: "We have crunched the numbers in East Derry as elsewhere and believe there is a real chance for a historic breakthrough.

"We have an excellent candidate in Thomas Conway, his natural support base comes from the areas that have moved into East Derry and we hope with that, John Dallat's core vote and new voters we may cause an upset."

Whilst the prospect of an even split within unionism is unlikely the three loyalist candidates are warning against complacency.

Said Mr Campbell: "Having canvassed throughout the constituency one of the major issues Unionist voters have alluded to is the need for greater Unionist co -operation between the various parties.

"East Londonderry has a Unionist majority and according to both the Westminster election outcome in 2005 and the Assembly election outcome in 2007 the DUP is the largest Party here.

"This means that in a three way split among the Unionist Parties it is all the more obvious in a first past the post election, Unionists should vote for the Candidate and Party most likely to hold the seat.

"No matter which way that is analysed the DUP is that choice. Since the DUP took the seat in 2001 the pro United Kingdom vote in the constituency had risen by 4 per cent, now that the more nationalist wards of Claudy and Banagher have been included the challenges are there for us to continue that work in the future.

"In terms of a split Unionist vote in this type of election it come down to a very straightforward choice, every vote that comes off the DUP total and goes to either of the other two Unionist candidates is a vote closer to having a Sinn Fein or SDLP MP."

Mrs Macaulay stated: "I want to appeal to everyone in the constituency, from all backgrounds to vote for change, especially those who have never voted before or people who have stopped voting because they are disillusioned with politics.

"I share the public anger about expenses scandals and double jobbing. That's why I have put myself forward to change things and I will represent everyone.

"The problem with not voting is that if we keep doing what we have always done then we will keep getting what we have always got! Voting can change things for the better and the people of this constituency deserve better. I want to appeal to everyone to vote in the General Election. An opportunity to vote is an opportunity for change!"

And former MP William Ross stated: "East Londonderry has always been, and will remain, a Traditional Unionist Constituency, but our Traditional Unionism has been watered down with the DUP entering into Government with SF/IRA.

"It's unknown where the UCUNF expect to pick up votes - I can assure them that it will not be from the Traditional Unionist people of East Londonderry.

"Make no bones about it; this is a direct contest between TUV and DUP. Only I can beat Mr Campbell and it is clearly evident from the doorstep reactions that the electors intend to vote Ross."

Sinn Fin MLA Billy Leonard called for the nationalist constituency to vote for party candidate Cathal hOisn in the election.

"At the last Assembly election in 2007 Sinn Fin secured the largest number of votes from the Nationalist and Republican community by outpolling SDLP by 6,797 votes to 4,435. Building on that solid mandate Sinn Fin is determined to deliver in East Derry on May 6th," he said.