There might be 19 candidates in this constituency but there is one man who looms large over this constituency. Mr Bob McCartney, local MP and UK Unionist leader, elicits strong emotion wherever he goes.
Prosperous, polite North Down is not used to passion. But it's learning. There is no neutral ground nowadays in its smart seaside towns. You either love or loath "Big Bob".
The UUP is the biggest local party, but the DUP's decision to step aside for Mr McCartney at Westminster elections, plus his own high personal profile, have secured him the seat.
His opponents say his vigorous opposition to the Belfast Agreement has alienated voters. A heated exchange between Mr McCartney and some Holywood residents, whom he called "rent-a-mob", during a visit by Mr Blair means his days are numbered, they say.
They predict his party's vote will fall dramatically in the Assembly elections. Mr McCartney insists the Holywood incident was misrepresented by the media and says he is winning support daily.
He says people who voted Yes in the referendum are admitting they made a mistake and are angry the British Prime Minister has broken his promises on decommissioning.
The UUP is certain of two seats, and the UK Unionists, the DUP, and Alliance should secure one each. The battle will be for the sixth, with the UUP, the UK Unionists, Alliance and perhaps even a fringe loyalist fighting it out. The SDLP seems to have little chance in the predominantly Protestant constituency.
The UUP's three candidates span the generations. There is the recently knighted Sir John Gorman (75), the former chairman of the Northern Ireland Forum and one of his party's few Catholics. He has a lengthy record of public service and is tipped as a future speaker in the new Assembly. The UUP's other candidates are a former British army major, Mr Alan McFarland, and a young Bangor barrister, Mr Peter Weir.
Sir John and Mr McFarland are pro-Agreement. Mr Weir voted No but says he accepts the referendum result and is loyal to his party leader. He says there is stronger support for the agreement in North Down than in many other unionist constituencies.
The UUP's campaign co-ordinator, Mr James McKerrow, says: "People are incensed with Bob. He is letting the area down." Despite Mr Weir's anti-Agreement stance, Mr McKerrow says the local party is united and has excellent candidates.
Mr McCartney breaks into laughter at a mention of the UUP selection. "They haven't an ounce of charisma between them. Sir John is a decent old boy but politically disorientated. The galloping major, Alan McFarland, only seems to be seen at election time. And Peter Weir is so anxious to smarm up to Trimble he doesn't know what he thinks any more."
He claims the UUP candidates are at each other's throats and couldn't agree on the carve-up of the constituency. He believes he will be easily elected to the Assembly, along with his running-mate, Ms Elizabeth Roche.
He is not concerned about the Alliance candidates. "Eileen Bell means well, but that's the height of it. Gavin Walker's profile is restricted to writing letters to the papers."
Ms Bell argues Alliance will poll well. "People will support parties with positive policies like ourselves. They want to see the Assembly working and power transferred to local politicians. They are tired of the negative, arrogant politics of Mr McCartney."
The UK Unionist leader, however, is amused by suggestions of his demise. "It's wishful thinking. What happens on election day is what counts. I've nothing to fear. I've every confidence in my own canvassing skills and in the people of North Down."
North Down Candidates Alan McFarand, Sir John Gorman, Peter Weir (UUP); Bob McCartney, Elizabeth Roche (UK Unionist); Eileen Bell, Gavin Walker (Alliance); St Clair McAllister, Alan Graham (DUP); Leonard Fee (Conservative); Marietta Farrell (SDLP); Jane Morrice (Women's Coalition); Stewart Currie (PUP); Tom Lindsay (UDP); Alan Chambers (Ulster Ind); Chris Carter (Ulster's Ind Voice); Brian Wilson (In- dependent); Vanessa Baird-Gunning (Labour); Andrea Gribben (Natural Law Party).
1997 Westminster Election: UK Unionists 35 per cent; UUP 31 per cent; Alliance 21 per cent; Conservatives 5 per cent; SDLP 5 per cent; Women's Coalition 3 per cent.
1996 Forum Election: UUP 26 per cent; UK Unionists 21 per cent; DUP 18 per cent; Alliance 17 per cent; SDLP 5 per cent; PUP 5 per cent; UDP 2 per cent.