In 2019 they won two seats. In 1998, it became the biggest party overall in terms of votes received, the first time this had been achieved by a nationalist party. Nichola Mallon MLA and Cllr Paul McCusker, along with North Belfast youth services, met with Education Minster Peter Weir to highlight concerns of the covid impact on young people and the need for a localised plan in North Belfast. However, in March 2019, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley stated that, after the local elections, the government wished to revive Assembly talks. In the 2001 general election and in the 2003 Assembly election, Sinn Féin won more seats and votes than the SDLP for the first time. Green Party. SDLP Belfast councillors Niall Kelly, Pat Convery and Alban Maginness MLA welcome SDLP Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, to North Belfast. "[21] After his election as Fianna Fáil Leader in January 2011, Micheál Martin repeatedly dismissed the possibility of a merger or electoral alliance with the SDLP. Carl Whyte, SDLP. For the unit within the French National Police, see, Centre-left political party in Northern Ireland, Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre, "At present, the UK uses the “first past the post” system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Although not abstentionist, SDLP MPs have protested the parliamentary oath required of every member of parliament. However, it met with vociferous opposition from the Republic's main opposition parties Fine Gael and the Labour Party, and the plan was subsequently shelved. Not on my watch. The party claims that the 2005 Westminster elections — when they lost Newry and Armagh to Sinn Féin but Durkan comfortably held Hume's seat of Foyle whilst they also gained South Belfast with a slightly bigger share of the vote than in the 2003 assembly elections – shows that the decline caused by Sinn Féin's rejection of physical force republicanism has slowed and that their vote share demands they play a central role in any constitutional discussions. [29] Her actions drew praise from unionists. Belfast is the only council in Northern Ireland which annually commissions painted portraits of its civic leaders. Oldpark. nurses pay Established during the Troubles, a significant difference between the two parties was the SDLP's rejection of violence, in contrast to Sinn Féin's support for the Provisional IRA and physical force republicanism. Our prayers and condolences today are with his wife Pat, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his wider family. [23], Claire Hanna, MLA for Belfast South and party spokesperson on Brexit, quit the assembly group as a result.[24]. The atmosphere under the Dome of Delight at Belfast City Hall was buzzing at the weekend as 60 councillors were elected to the North’s largest local authority.. 16 talking about this. Speaking at the 2010 Irish Labour Party national conference in Galway she said that a merger would not happen while she was leader – "Merger with Fianna Fáil? The Belfast City Council comprises of the entire previous authority, plus 20% of the old Lisburn Council, 40% of the old Castlereagh Council, and the very small Cedar Grove area from North Down Council. Councillor Gareth Spratt. Lisnasharragh. The SDLP will deliver reform of councils, decentralise government jobs and seek enhanced North-South co-operation in service delivery. In 2005, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern leader of Fianna Fáil put forward a tentative proposal to allow MPs and MEPs from Northern Ireland to participate in debates on the region. Almost £150,000 of ratepayers' cash has been spent on … © 2021 Social Democratic and Labour Party - Privacy Policy - Made with NationBuilder - Built by Tectonica. Belfast City Council is the primary council of the Belfast Metropolitan Area, a grouping of six district councils with commuter towns and overspill from Belfast, containing a total population of The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) (Irish: Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre) is an Irish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Northern Ireland. The party was founded in August 1970, when six Stormont MPs and one Senator, former members of the Republican Labour Party (a party with ties to the Irish Labour Party), the National Democratic Party (NDP, a small nationalist party that dissolved itself after the foundation of the SDLP),[15] individual nationalists, former members of the Nationalist Party and members of the Northern Ireland Labour Party, joined to form a new party. In January 2019, the SDLP membership were e-mailed on the issue with the text "continuing on as normal is not an option", a reference to the party's declining fortunes. An SDLP councillor has resigned from the party so she can have an "independent, inclusive voice" for the whole community. Police probe after SDLP councillor verbally abused in Belfast city centre Foster says next week will be ‘key decision point’ for Covid-19 regulations Foster – Protocol is not going to work ", The Good Friday Agreement and return to government, Leadership challenges and elections, 2011–2015, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Social Democratic Labour Party (disambiguation), Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Demography and politics of Northern Ireland, "The day the SDLP was formed 'in the spirit of optimism, "View registration - the Electoral Commission", "Shifting Thresholds, Contested Meanings", "SDLP members back Fianna Fáil partnership", "Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998", "Trimble, Mallon elected leaders of N. Irish Assembly", "SDLP leader Ritchie rules out merger with Fianna Fáil", "SDLP-Fianna Fail 'merger': Email sent to SDLP membership says 'continuing on as normal is not an option, "Fianna Fail and SDLP announce joint partnership", "SDLP leader Colum Eastwood affirms allegiance to Queen 'under protest, "Decision to wear poppy difficult for SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie", "Ritchie's Poppy Move 'Is a major breakthrough'", "Margaret Ritchie: SDLP leader 'to face challenge, "Bird's Eye View Patsy McGlone's Leadership Strike", "Alasdair McDonnellelected new SDLP leader", "SDLP leadership: Colum Eastwood wins contest against Alasdair McDonnell", "General election 2019: A simple guide to the SDLP", "Eastwood appoints new SDLP Spokespeople | 2020 | News", "Sinn Féin tops poll in Euro count-BBC News", List of political parties by representation, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, 2011 United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_Democratic_and_Labour_Party&oldid=1011974883, Pro-European political parties in the United Kingdom, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Party Chairperson; Spokesperson for the Executive Office, Spokesperson for the Economy, Higher Education and Skills, Spokesperson for Brexit and Public Finance, This page was last edited on 13 March 2021, at 22:08. Cliftonville Primary School. A total of four candidates have stepped up to the challenge of becoming the next leader of nationalism’s second party, since current leader Margaret Ritchie announced during the summer she would be stepping down. Cllr Donal Lyons. Upon Mallon's retirement in 2001, Mark Durkan succeeded him as Deputy First Minister. [22], In February 2019, at a special party conference, the members approved a partnership with Fianna Fáil,[14] the main opposition party in the Republic of Ireland. Castle. The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) (Irish: Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre)[9] is an Irish nationalist[10][11][12] and social-democratic[5][10][13] political party in Northern Ireland. The SDLP was one of the parties involved in the negotiations that resulted in the Sunningdale Agreement, which in turn resulted in the establishment of a power-sharing executive in January 1974. Balmoral Cllr Brian Heading. Cllr Carl Whyte. 34 year old from North Belfast, grew up and still lives in Ardoyne and has been a community activist from the age of 14 and joined Belfast City Council in 2016 being co-opted to take Nichola Mallon's seat. The SDLP reject this argument, pointing to their strong support in Derry and their victory in South Belfast in the 2005 election. Belfast North is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.. Should the “alternative vote” system be used instead? SDLP MP Claire Hanna has challenged the UK Prime Minister to tax internet titans like Amazon... health Police are investigating after a Belfast councillor was harassed in the city centre on Wednesday. Both parties shared policies on key areas including addressing the current political situation in Northern Ireland, improving public services in both jurisdictions of Ireland, such as healthcare and education, and bringing about further unity and co-operation of the people on the island and arrangements for a future poll on Irish reunification. Councillor Brian Smyth. Cllr Paul McCusker. The Social Democratic and Labour Party champions social justice, equality and fairness for everyone in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland. SDLP councillors in South Belfast have revealed where their loyalties lie ahead of the upcoming party leadership contest. In the 2004 European elections, Hume stood down and the SDLP failed to retain the seat he had held since 1979, losing to Sinn Féin. C auseway Coast and Glens Councillor Angela Mulholland told … Following the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, the SDLP emerged as the second-largest party, and the largest party representing the nationalist community, in elections to the new Northern Ireland Assembly established in 1973: the party won 19 out of 75 seats. For other uses, see, "SDLP" redirects here. SDLP North Belfast Councillor and homelessness activist Paul McCusker is to be nominated as the city's Deputy Mayor at Belfast City Council’s AGM on Monday evening. The party's first MP was its leader Gerry Fitt who was already an sitting MP when the SDLP was founded. Our Oldpark Councillor Paul McCusker has called for urgent action to be taken by the Department for Communities to … [28] Because of this, it has long been the preserve of the unionist/loyalist community. ... Ards and North Down Council. However the British Government remain focused on Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party, as the mechanisms of government outlined in the Agreement mean that it is only necessary that a majority of assembly members from each community (which these two parties currently have) agree a way forward. Democratic Unionist Party. The decline continued in the 2016 Assembly election, as a further two seats were lost and the total number of votes received continued to drop. The 14 councillors are the biggest grouping of SDLP elected representatives in any chamber in Northern Ireland, including the Assembly. trade. It lost two seats although it polled ahead of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) which won more seats. In the general election later that year the party recaptured Belfast South and Foyle with the highest ever vote recorded for the party in both constituencies and managed to increase its vote across Northern Ireland to its highest in almost fifteen years for a general election. Our communities can thrive in a cleaner, greener, more prosperous society where no one is left behind. Traffic starting to get busy on the Sydenham bypass, heading out of Belfast towards Dee Street and George Best Belfast City airport. Northern Ireland's leading pro-life group Precious Life are urging all right thinking people in Northern Ireland to contact SDLP and ask why they have suspended indefinitely and victimised three of their Belfast City Councillors , Pat Convery, Declan Boyle and Kate Mullan, after they abstained from supporting a motion that alleged that women using so-called “reproductive” centres in Northern Ireland are being … The SDLP’s vision is a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland. The SDLP’s vision is a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland. The SDLP is a proud member of the Party of European Socialists (PES). [33] The Phoenix reported that only one MLA Alex Attwood was prepared to back her and that "she will be humiliated if she puts her leadership to a vote"[34], Alasdair McDonnell was confirmed as Ritchie's successor after the subsequent leadership election on 5 November 2011. In April 2017, three SDLP councillors in Belfast quit the party. This was followed by the 2017 general election where the SDLP lost all three seats and returned its worst ever vote share. Balmoral. PA to the Registrar at General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland Belfast, ... General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland. Upon its formation, the SDLP quickly established itself as the second largest party and the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland. In the 2019 European Election party leader Colum Eastwood ran, increasing his party's vote but failing to take a seat. The Council serves an estimated population of 333,871, the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area. SDLP councillor Paul McCusker described the attack as “brutal”. Botanic. Report this profile About I have a vast PA/administrative experience, spanning nearly 30 years. This is a position which it largely held until the beginning of the 21st century. Read More Related Articles. We have it in our power to create a fairer, more equal society. Furthermore, in the lead up to the 2005 Westminster election, they published a document outlining their plans for a politically united Ireland. As relationships across these islands change, the SDLP's fundamental mission is to bring our people together in a new Ireland that ends division, celebrates all our communities and delivers the change all in our society deserve. The retirement of John Hume was followed by a period when the party started slipping electorally. Belfast City Council Belfast City Council. [20] Little came of this speculation and former party leader, Margaret Ritchie, rejected the idea. The SDLP was a key player in the talks throughout the 1990s that led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Started working in the health service at the age of 18 as a health care worker and still works as bank staff for the Belfast Trust. In the 2009 European election the party fielded Alban Maginness as their candidate and failed to gain a seat with 78,489 first preference votes.[40]. At the swearing in ceremony after the 2019 general election, the party leader Colum Eastwood said: The SDLP, along with Sinn Féin, have long sought speaking rights in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Republic's parliament. The Assembly and Executive were short-lived, however, collapsing after only four months due to sustained opposition from within the unionist community regarding the role being given to the Irish government in terms of Northern Ireland, and it was to be 25 years before the party sat in government again. The SDLP's vision is a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland. However, some of its recent actions have caused concern to pro-lifers within the party. [27] Unionists had also strongly opposed the proposal. [25] The SDLP's best result was in 1992 general election when they won four out of 17 seats. [18] The party was then returned to government later in the year when a power-sharing Executive was established for Northern Ireland. Court. Colum Eastwood is the sixth leader of the SDLP, taking over from Alasdair McDonnell in 2015. The SDLP’s vision is a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland. Their decline in Northern Ireland outside of two particular strongholds had led some to dub the party the "South Down and Londonderry Party"[39]. nhs. Councillor Nicola Verner. The SDLP currently have two MPs in the UK Parliament, twelve MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly and 56 councillors across Northern Ireland's 11 councils.[38]. Social Democratic and Labour Party Brexit Spokesperson Matthew O’Toole MLA has said that the UK Government’s... brexit North Belfast SDLP are committed to putting people at the centre of everything we do. However, the SDLP quickly came to the view that Stormont was unreformable, and withdrew from parliamentary involvement. Councillor Ruth Patterson has branded an SDLP councillor a ‘tell-tale tit’ after she was handed a ... Crumlin Star FC is an excellent football club which is highly respected in North Belfast. The party further declined in the 2011 Assembly elections. The public health crisis we're living through will come to an end. The SDLP is a proud member of the Party of European Socialists (PES). The SDLP initially rejected the Nationalist Party's policy of abstentionism and sought to fight for civil rights within the Stormont system. Sign up to the SDLP e-newsletter and stay updated about campaigns, new events, news, and the Party’s day to day. [30][31][32], On 27 July 2011, it was reported that Margaret Ritchie faced a leadership challenge from deputy leader Patsy McGlone. [16] John Hume won a Nobel Peace Prize that year with Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble in recognition of their efforts. Belfast City Council Threats and security alerts will not deter us from doing our job- helping our neighbours and constituents in North Belfast. The two seats held by the party currently have the largest majorities of any constituencies in Northern Ireland. I am committed to never using language that inflames, incites or divides but rather I hope to provide constructive and creative input to discussions on commemorations, emblems and other potentially divisive topics. The poppy is worn on the lapel in the United Kingdom as a mark of respect and remembrance for fallen soldiers in the period around Remembrance Day and is controversial in Northern Ireland, as it is viewed by many as a political symbol representing support for the British Army. This article is about the political party of Northern Ireland. Sign up to our Newsletter for updates about the work the SDLP is doing to build a new Ireland. [35], Colum Eastwood challenged McDonnell and replaced him as leader in 2015. In the 2017 Assembly election the party retained 12 seats and increased its seat share for the first time since 1998 due to a drop in the size of the assembly. Collin As relationships across these islands change, the SDLP's fundamental mission is to bring our people together in a new Ireland that ends division, celebrates all our communities and delivers the change all in our society deserve. [17], As a result of the Agreement, elections to a new Northern Ireland Assembly were held in June 1998; the SDLP emerged as the second-largest party overall, and the largest nationalist party, with 24 out of 108 seats. Northern Ireland council election row as Arlene slates Jim Wells comments; Collin (6 elected) Danny … Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. You can get in touch through the following ways: ️Drop by our North Belfast office: 168 Antrim Road, BT15 2AH Call us: 02895150100 Email: Nichola.Mallon@mla.niassembly.gov.uk 0 North Belfast SDLP … The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since 2017 with the failure of powersharing between the DUP and Sinn Féin. There had been a debate in the party on the prospects of amalgamation with Fianna Fáil. That means a new kind of politics that takes on the big challenges. Gerry Fitt, the SDLP party leader, took office as deputy chief executive, taking government alongside the Ulster Unionist Party (led by Brian Faulkner) and the Alliance Party. Cllr Gary McKeown. On Remembrance Day 2010 party leader Margaret Ritchie made history by becoming the first leader of a nationalist party to wear a poppy while attending a wreath-laying ceremony in Downpatrick, County Down. Its worst result was in 2017 when they lost all their seats. SDLP councillor Carl Whyte: The impact of John Hume on our society is incalculable and any attempt to condense his activism, his legacy and his life into a few words or sentences seems almost immediately to fail. “I utterly condemn the shooting of a man on the Cliftonville Road area of North Belfast,” he said. During the Troubles, the SDLP was the most popular Irish nationalist party in Northern Ireland, but since the Provisional IRA ceasefire in 1994, it has lost ground to the republican party Sinn Féin, which in 2001 became the more popular of the two parties for the first time. The SDLP took office alongside the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and Sinn Féin, and the SDLP's Seamus Mallon became Deputy First Minister alongside the UUP's First Minister, David Trimble.[19]. At the 2017 United Kingdom general election, no party won an overall majority in the UK Parliament, so the DUP agreed a deal to support a minority Conservative government. Belfast is the only council in Northern Ireland that routinely pays for painted portraits of its civic leaders. We then have an opportunity to build better services and opportunities for everyone in our community. The SDLP currently has 12 MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly and two Members of Parliament in Westminster. europe UK politics was dominated by Brexit, which was due to t… ... Belfast City Council; Belfast City Council. A Belfast councillor who helped organise the SDLP's civil rights anniversary programme has decided not to stand for re-election. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said it was wrong of his party colleagues to back a motion to oppose the extradition to Lithuania of a man found liable for the Omagh bomb. Belfast City Council. [36], The SDLP is a social democratic party which opposes Brexit.[37]. In the middle of the chaos that all of our communities are facing, we have the chance to build a new Ireland together. The SDLP currently has 12 MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly and two Members of Parliament in Westminster. nurses Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for part of the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. Democratic Unionist Party. Since February 2019, the SDLP have been in partnership with Fianna Fáil.[14].