https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2024/0906/1468757-sdlp-leader/

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Claire Hanna is set to become the next leader of the SDLP after she was the only candidate for the role when nominations closed.

A party statement said Ms Hanna had received the required nominations from SDLP constituency branches and support groups.

She will now proceed for ratification by party members at the SDLP conference on 5 October.

Outgoing leader Colum Eastwood announced last week he was leaving the role following nine years.

He told reporters in Co Derry that the "moment has come to step aside" and that after nine years it was time to pass the baton on to someone else.

SDLP's Stormont leader Matthew O’Toole, whose name had been mentioned as a possible contender for party leader, endorsed Ms Hanna as party leader last week.

He said she was the best person to broaden the party's support base.

In expressing her intention to run for party leader, Ms Hanna said the SDLP has a "real opportunity to grow our electoral reach".

She said: "No other party is fundamentally committed to tackling all three of the major divisions – inequality, sectarianism and partition – limiting our region's potential.

"We must more actively engage voters, including those who didn't grow up in the nationalist tradition, who share our social democratic and anti-sectarian principles, many of whom are curious about the potential of a reconciled new Ireland.

"We need to offer and campaign with a dual mission of making life better in the present, while building for a new Ireland, explaining why we believe constitutional change will improve people’s lives and opportunities."

by Force-Grand

9 comments

  1. I really hope she changes the direction of the party and offers a new alternative for nationalists. I think she has a level headed personality that’ll appeal to a lot of people.

    I do wonder how it’ll impact them not having a leader from foyle. But maybe if Eastwood stays on within the party, it might help them maintain their presence in the city.

  2. > No other party is fundamentally committed to tackling **all three of the major divisions – _inequality, sectarianism and partition_** – limiting our region’s potential.

    Just what does “racism” have to do to make the list?

    It’s been _really_ trying its best lately. A for effort, like.

  3. > No other party is fundamentally committed to tackling **all three of the major divisions – _inequality, sectarianism and partition_** – limiting our region’s potential.

    Yet are only seen in working class areas come election time.

  4. It should have been Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

    I suspect foul play that the most qualified candidate was passed over in favour of pale stale Claire. 

  5. She’s always done well by her constituents, but we’ll see if she makes an effective leader

  7. Yawn, no surprise , and given their exceptionally long history of creating voting disparity IE don’t vote 1 2 3 other nationalists and other horrific policies I really am unsurprised by this.If they had of picked another person I would have been surprised .Self-motivated Demoralising Lethargy Party.

  8. It’s very hard not to like Hanna. Interested to see what she will do differently from Eastwood as they seem very similar. They really need others in the party to step up as outside of Eastwood, Hanna, O’Toole. I can’t recall many of them saying or doing (doherty excluded in doing) much.

    Hopefully, they can change something. As good as Hanna is at putting both Jim’s in their place, they could do with giving other members more exposure to the media.

  9. I like her, she’s a likable character. Super intelligent and talks so well.

    I wish I could talk with such a wonderful flow, unfortunately though I’m a half stupid cunt

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