SDLP Leadership Contest

There has been much comment today about the announcement that Mark Durkan will resign as leader of the SDLP should he win the Foyle constituency in the next Westminster election.

There has been some strange criticism of his decision. Did he not say that he wanted to lead the party for 10 years and did not want to do it when he was 50? Yes he did. Is it so strange to see a politician keeping his promise? Perhaps it is, and that is why there will be those who will say he was pushed or 'stabbed in the back'.

Whether or not you agree with Mark Durkan and his policies he has brought the SDLP and some of his political colleagues (not always willingly) to a stage were the police are accepted. He has also personally defended the Good Friday Agreement which, inspite of its faults, brought peace to Northern Ireland and the decommissioning of both IRA and most of the Loyalist weapons (eventually).

For the critics who might say that he was no John Hume or Seamus Mallon I would sday that they are right. But was a John Hume needed? could he have delivered the results that Durkan has? Yes, the SDLP suffered electorally but if that was the price for peace will anyone in their right mind not say it was worth paying? (There are better people than me to answer these questions but I believe it was worth it)

Now there will be a contest and yes it may be largely about the personalities of either Deputy Leader Alasdair McDonnell or Minister Margaret Ritchie. A strong personality will be needed to tackle the challenges we will face going forward. Whoever wins will have to make the party relevant to a population that has to a certain extent switched off politics or some who view the absence of violence as peace. Let this contest not be about egos. Let it be a time for renewal. There is room for a strong peaceful nationalist voice that can tackle

- Dissident Violence
- Economic downturn
- Social deprivation
- Education of our children

A new revitalised SDLP is needed. Whilst it is good to remember the achievements of Hume and Mallon the SDLP cannot afford to rest on its past victories. The party of civil rights has to broaden its image and message to make education and economic rights part of their continuing civil rights campaign.

To whoever takes on the mantle all I can wish them is GOOD LUCK!