Since the European election campaign began, the seven candidates have been out on the stump seeking support. And with only a few days left before polling day next Thursday, Belfast Telegraph reporters accompanied the hopefuls as they meet the voters

DIANE DODDS: DUP

Diane Dodds is being driven into Richhill when word comes that Jim Allister has just walked past the village’s DUP office.

Sammy Wilson is with us as Allister’s election vehicle suddenly looms ahead, Jim’s booming voice on tape echoing down the main street.

“We’re right behind you Jim,” the Executive Minister quips.

The DUP team and their electoral bete noire do not come face-to-face but one Allister worker walks past our driver, William Irwin MLA, says “a’right?” and gets a few nods.

The teams have already met in Markethill. No square mile is safe.

It’s only 3 o’clock as the DUP battle bus rolls into Richhill, a picturesque spot where, according to councillor Noel Donnelly, the population has more than doubled in 20 years, and the team have already visited Sprucefield, Lisburn market, Kinallen and Dromore.

Before evening they will take in Armagh and head towards Newry. There’s no chill time for the DUP candidate, not even on the weekends. Most days, she is on the go from 9.30am and only calls it a day about 12 hours later.

A veteran campaigner who believes elections are won on the doorsteps, Dodds has a natural meet and greet talent. Another newspaper said she could natter for Ireland. “Ulster,” she says, “make that Ulster.”

Though they invariably run late the 20-strong team lose little time in spreading through the streets, Nelson McCausland, the North Belfast MLA who holds the record for Stormont suspensions, leading the charge. “Well, he’s used to walking out,” someone jokes.

STEPHEN AGNEW: GREEN PARTY

“I think the Green Party might just surprise everyone this time round.”

That was the opinion of the party’s candidate Stephen Agnew on the campaign trail in Belfast.

The new politician on the block was speaking while at Roseville House, a family shelter in south Belfast yesterday.

He was one of a number of guests invited to speak on a European Neighbours’ day event.

“I worked in two hostels, so I know how important they are for so many people,” he told one of the members of staff.

Before delivering a short speech on ‘What makes a good citizen and neighbour’ to a group of families at the hostel he said his canvassing across Northern Ireland had been “really positive”.

“Nobody has expectations, so I think we will do better than some people will predict. I was walking along the Ormeau Road and a woman in a car stopped and said to me I have never voted for the Green Party before, but said she would now. I think it has been a combination of things that have led to people looking at us.

“The whole expenses issue and the situation with the Executive not sitting for five months which was at the time when an economic crisis was on the verge of starting, I think has made people rethink their vote.

“It seems we are not just appealing to our usual core voters.

“I think that people can get tired of listening to the politics of division.”

ALBAN MAGINNESS: SDLP

Alban Maginness believes he is a sure bet to recapture the SDLP's European seat at next Thursday's poll - and he has staked a small wager on doing just that.

One leading bookmaker was yesterday offering odds of 6/1 that Mr Maginness, who has represented North Belfast at the Assembly since 1998, would take one of the three seats.

The 59-year-old SDLP veteran has already taken advantage of those generous odds, and he is hoping for a double celebration when the results are declared.

"I'm very confident we will win this seat," he said when out in Lurgan this week.

"Put money on us - the odds are very good.

"I have had a punt - on myself of course - and I recommend it. You will make money."

Last November Mr Maginness shaved off his trademark moustache for the BBC's Children in Need appeal, but he insists there will be no close shave when the results are revealed next Monday.

"It has been a very good campaign and we have had a very positive response on the doorsteps," he added.

"Our message has got across and people see the value in voting for our party.”

Speaking during a canvass in Lurgan, he added: "This election will be won on the doorsteps. It will not be won in the media, nor on the television.

"We have mobilised our people to get the SDLP support base out.

“ If we can get our people out on June 4 we will win this seat."

JIM ALLISTER: TRADITIONAL UNIONIST VOICE

“I’m the one who left the DUP because I didn’t agree with sharing power with Sinn Fein.

“And I don’t like Marty (Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness), either!”

Traditional Unionist Voice candidate Jim Allister introduces himself in Comber, Co Down - that is, to those who need an introduction to the sitting MEP, whose visage peers over them from most lampposts in the town.

He and his workers, including son Philip, energetically canvass a hilly housing estate, following up on his 13,000 election posters across Northern Ireland.

There’s no kissing babies but there is a warm reception to Allister’s unassuming style. Allister adhesives doled out to little ‘uns encountered en route are also gladly received.

The proceedings of the European parliament are remote to the electorate: “Not all of them know the intricacies of the common agricultural policy or the niceties of the common fisheries policy.

“So the basis on which they will vote is on how they think things are going at the assembly.”

He’s confident he will hold onto his seat. On DUP candidate, Diane Dodds, he jokes: “She’s the right candidate for me but the wrong one for them.” Those who voted for him in the past “congratulate me for sticking to my guns”.

The 2004 poll-topper - with 32% of the vote - won’t be drawn on what he might do with himself if he loses next week. He is buoyed up a 19.6% share in the Dromore by-election result, an area he says is “a good microcosm of unionism.”

BAIRBRE DE BRUN: SINN FEIN

Bairbre de Brun is being invited to taste some cheese when the voice of Alban Maginness wafts across.

The Euro rivals are simultaneously canvassing a bustling St George’s Market in Belfast but the Sinn Fein team is keen to make tracks for south Down.

Still, Bairbre takes time for a brief chat with her SDLP opponent and his party’s deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell quips: “all the heavyweights are here this morning.”

Across the way Gerry Adams is browsing through the bric a brac and buys some bread. He gets Bairbre an almond tart.

The party is confident about keeping its seat and someone quips about having your cake and eating it.

Jovial Gerry, just back from three nights in the Republic where the party’s main election focus is, rejects any suggestion he can put his shopping on expenses.

“Westminster wouldn’t do that for me,” he jokes.

Meeting and greeting shoppers Bairbre tells two elderly ladies she’s just out and about to remind people there’s an election on. They assure her of support and then later come over to shake Alban Maginness’s hand.

De Brun believes despite indications of apathy there will be a higher turnout than expected, perhaps around the 51 pc figure from 2004 and that people are more engaged with European issues than previously.

She has an easy way with her - “have you all your shopping done?” - and knows some of the stall holders.

Her bodyguards are never further than a few feet from her.

JIM NICHOLSON: CONSERVATIVES AND UNIONISTS

With the clock ticking until election day, the campaign trail for Jim Nicholson moved from the streets to businesses.

Now under the Conservatives’ and Unionists’ ticket ‘team Nicholson’ who are fighting to retain the European seat, visited Rosco engineering in Richhill, Co Armagh.

A business run by a party supporter, it was a safe environment for him to meet members of the public, albeit a small number, and canvas for votes.

But a smiling and confident Mr Nicholson arrived in his black four by four emblazoned with campaigning slogans ready for business.

Shaking the hand of the managing director Bob Scott he entered into some pleasant small talk but then keenly asked the local businessman, “how are things?”

Mr Scott smiles but replies “tough enough”.

In fact he goes on to tell how he was forced to make five staff redundant in March due to the knock on effects of the recession.

But he adds that things now “look a bit better”.

The chat soon turns to the previous canvassing across Northern Ireland.

“It has been going well, particularly over the last few weeks,” he said. “I’ve been amazed how positive people have been on the doorsteps. My biggest concern though is apathy,” he admits.

But he is also keen to use the visit to highlight the importance of small and medium sized businesses.

“Red tape and bureaucracy are limiting small business’s chances of successfully reaching into the market and expanding,” he says.

IAN PARSLEY: ALLIANCE PARTY

Knocking on doors in the heart of Alliance country, European election candidate Ian Parsley was never going to get a bad reception.

Princess Street in Holywood, according to Alliance’s last survey, consists of around 50% of people who vote for the party.

But for the MEP hopeful, canvassing in safe ground at this stage of the election race was important.

Parsley is realistic about his chances of winning a seat in the European parliament.

The Alliance man is hoping to get around 6.8% of the vote however the biggest obstacle he faces, as does any politician, is public apathy.

But instead of trying to engage with those who quite clearly had no intention of voting, Parsley, who was always courteous when he approached, quickly made an exit leaving one of his leaflets behind.

He explained there was no point in trying to convince someone who had no intention of voting for Alliance — or at all — at this stage of the race.

Instead, it was more important to concentrate on those who would vote for Alliance, he said.

And given that he was canvassing in an area where half the street would welcome his presence, he was barely challenged on why people should vote for him.