The possibility that Sinn Fein could have more voters than anyone else in Thursday's British general election should be a wake up call to unionists, it was claimed tonight.
Democratic Unionist deputy leader Peter Robinson expressed alarm at claims from Sinn Fein vice president Pat Doherty that canvass returns indicated that it was possible that republicans could emerge with the strongest vote.
Mr Robinson insisted: "Unionists must avoid the nightmare scenario of republicans speaking for Ulster after the votes are counted on Friday.
"With the Sinn Fein vote on the rise it is vital that unionists turn out to vote on Thursday and vote for the DUP.
Sinn Fein is targeting rival nationalist SDLP seats in Foyle, Newry and Armagh and South Down. Party activists believe the battle between their general secretary Mitchel McLaughlin and SDLP leader Mark Durkan is tight but they are confident that they could emerge victorious.
They also believe that Conor Murphy will gain Newry and Armagh and that they will put in a strong challenge in South Down where Caitriona Ruane is taking on the SDLP's Eddie McGrady.
Mr Doherty yesterday claimed: "Having analysed the canvass returns from all 18 constituencies, our assessment is that Sinn Fein can become the largest party in the North in terms of popular support, at this election.
"If the largest party after this election is both nationalist and pro-Agreement, this will impact significantly on the future of the political process."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan insisted his party was confident that a high voter turnout would benfit his party and accused Mr Doherty of playing into the hands of the DUP. "This is just Sinn Fein and the DUP trying to pump each other up," he said.
"The DUP has been trying to make this an election between Sinn Fein and themselves and both of them are trying to reduce things to two-party politics based on them.
"This is the DUPs game plan. Its deputy leader Peter Robinson has called for it for a number of years because in a two party set up, he can declare the Good Friday Agreement a bust."
PA