The election was marked by an increase in polarization, with Sinn Fein and the right-wing pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) both scoring gains. Local elections held over the following week confirmed the trend.

Adams described the party’s June 6 results as a "resounding vote for an end to partition," referring to the forcible division of Ireland by British imperialism. In the words of its election manifesto, Sinn Fein campaigned for "a united Ireland which delivers real social and economic change." The party’s candidates defended the Good Friday agreement, a 1998 accord under which London granted a measure of self government in Northern Ireland, along with other concessions.

For the first time, Sinn Fein gained more seats and votes than the Social Democratic Labor Party (SDLP). The Sinn Fein MPs will not take their seats in Westminster.

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) led by David Trimble lost ground in the election. It is the largest party in Northern Ireland and is treated by London as its key ally among the increasingly divided parties supporting British rule. It was a signatory to the Good Friday agreement.

The Democratic Unionist Party of the rightist Ian Paisley attacked the accord, and increased its vote by almost 9 percent, winning five seats--up from two in 1997.

Trimble’s own party is deeply divided on the agreement. After losing three seats, including one to Sinn Fein, the UUP "finished with six MPs evenly split between pro- and anti-agreement MPs," reported the Financial Times.

Local races for city council seats in the six counties were also held. Along with the DUP, Sinn Fein was a "big victor in the elections," reported the Irish Times. "A total of 108 republican [city] councillors were returned, including 14 in Belfast where Sinn Fein is now the largest single party, and set to have a member elected as Lord mayor for the first time."
 
 
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