Mr Neeson also called on the other parties to rise above narrow electoral objectives and look to the wider interests of the Agreement. He has been critical of the SDLP and Ulster Unionist Party for pursuing their own electoral ambitions at the expense of what he sees as the greater interest of the pro-Agreement alliance. Sitting Ulster Unionist MP Cecil Walker, a strong supporter of the Agreement, is being challenged by anti-Agreement Democratic Unionist Nigel Dodds. With a growing nationalist vote in the constituency, there is also expected to be strong support for the SDLP's Alban Maginness and Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly. Mr Kelly meanwhile has accused Alliance of attempting to make a virtue out of necessity over their withdrawals.
Alliance are a spent force.