Michelle O\u2019Neill has said Sinn F\u00e9in is hoping to unseat \u201can architect of Brexit\u201d \u2013 DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds \u2013 as it aims to increase its number of Westminster MPs from seven to eight.<\/p>\n
The Sinn F\u00e9in vice president said the UK’s December 12 general election will be about maximizing the return of pro-Remain candidates.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will stand in our seven constituencies in which we currently hold seats and we will stand in North Belfast to win that seat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Standing alongside the party\u2019s North Belfast candidate John Finucane, Ms O\u2019Neill made clear their intention to target the constituency\u2019s MP Mr Dodds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe there is a real opportunity in North Belfast to oust someone who has been architect of Brexit, someone who has actively worked against the interests of people who live here on this island, and John Finucane can provide local representation but also will reflect Ireland\u2019s interests in all of this mess,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Asked about her party\u2019s suggested pro-Remain electoral pact with other parties opposed to Brexit, Ms O\u2019Neill said: \u201cI have had conversations with the other party leaders in terms of how we can maximize the pro-Remain candidates returned in this election, but I suppose it will be for the electorate to pass judgment on that.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I stand here there hasn\u2019t been a positive response from the other party leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier the incoming leader of the Ulster Unionist Party came under pressure on his stance over a unionist electoral pact.<\/p>\n
Steve Aiken has said his party will stand candidates in all 18 Westminster seats.<\/p>\n
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson claimed the stance will mean a \u201cunionist dogfight\u201d, and warned this could risk unionists losing seats to Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n
Unionist rivals the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) said agreed candidates in certain constituencies is a \u201cno-brainer.\u201d<\/p>\n
A unionist pact saw Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott win the Fermanagh South Tyrone Westminster seat in 2015, but Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Michelle Gildernew won the seat back in 2017.<\/p>\n
The DUP is understood to be keen to pursue the arrangement in North Belfast where Mr Dodds\u2019 narrow majority is expected to come under pressure from Mr Finucane.<\/p>\n
Mr Aiken said his party will run candidates in all 18 constituencies, \u201cbecause we cannot in all right turn round and say to the people of Northern Ireland: \u2018Vote for a pact with the DUP, support the DUP \u2013 the party who put a border down the Irish Sea’.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Donaldson told the BBC today: \u201cI just don\u2019t understand where Steve Aiken is coming from, that he proposes we have a unionist dogfight in the middle of the most important election in decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think they stand a chance of winning the seat in the constituencies where they will split the vote.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later, a TUV spokesman said: \u201cAs TUV determines its position over the coming days regarding the upcoming general election, one thing is clear to us \u2013 the folly of gifting seats to Sinn F\u00e9in. Any party that sets such a course is not serving the Union.\u201d<\/p>\n