SF predicts election support from a 'small number' of unionists

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has claimed that a small number of pro-agreement unionists will give his party a preference vote during this Wednesday's Assembly Elections.

Mr Adams was speaking on his return to the election trail following the death of his father last week.

Accompanied by Martin McGuinness, Gerry Kelly, Alex Maskey, Bairbre de Brún and Michelle Gildernew, the West Belfast MP said such a change in opinion from "far sighed unionists" had only come about because of Sinn Féin's record in the peace process.

"Whether they like our politics or not and an increasing number do, progressive people know that we have taken real risks for peace," Mr Adams said. "They know the peace process is the future and they know that we are the party that can be trusted to manage that process in a way, which is to the best advantage of everyone who lives here."

The Sinn Féin President also claimed many SDLP voters would be transferring their votes because of their "negative" campaign against Sinn Féin.

"I have been told of the dissatisfaction with the SDLP’s negative, carping and begrudging campaign against Sinn Fein. And that trend is repeated throughout all of the constituencies. I want to appeal to those SDLP supporters who have made or are making that choice to give us a number one vote," he said.

However, Mr Adams said he and his party were taking nothing for granted ahead of Wednesday's vote.

"As I have said, the publicity campaign is almost over, but we will be back on the doorsteps asking every single person to give us a number one vote.

"Lets go for the largest number of seats possible because only by strengthening Sinn Féin’s hand can this process work right across social and economic issues, right across the institutions and effective representation in them, right down to the nitty gritty of building the peace and bringing about a new dispensation," Mr Adams added.

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