THE DEPUTY leader of the SDLP has said he will stand against current leader Margaret Ritchie for the post at the party’s annual conference in November.
Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone confirmed yesterday he would challenge for the position, stating people were “hungry for change” in the struggling party.
It is widely believed South Belfast MP and former deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell will also announce his candidacy in the coming weeks.
Dr McDonnell was narrowly defeated by Ms Ritchie in the SDLP leadership race in February 2010, losing out by just 35 votes from party delegates.
The latter’s position has been speculated about since the SDLP’s poor performance in the last Assembly election, in which it lost two seats.
There was also criticism of her performances in media debates leading up to May’s poll.
Mr McGlone said the party needed “strong leadership, clarity of message and radically improved grassroots organisation”.
“The SDLP has revolutionised Irish politics. The founding principles of the party are as relevant today as they were during the civil rights campaign,” he said.
“The unity of the people of Ireland along with practical social democracy, being there for people through the good and bad times, lie at the heart of every SDLP member and supporter.
“The SDLP has a wealth of talent within its ranks and each member has a vital role to play in contributing to the community as we strengthen our grassroots base.
“Now, as over the last 40 years, we are here as the strong voice of integrity in politics. It is time for us to reassert those proud core values of the SDLP.”
It is the first time a leader of the SDLP has faced a leadership challenge since the party was founded in 1970.
However, Ms Ritchie said she would not give up her position without a battle.
“I will be running for leadership of the SDLP at the annual conference,” she said.
“Anyone in the parliamentary Assembly group is free to put their name forward if they get the nominations. But at the end of the day, I am the leader.”
The party was previously led by Gerry Fitt, John Hume and Mark Durkan.
Over the last decade the SDLP has been eclipsed by Sinn Féin as the lead voice for nationalism and republicanism in Northern Ireland. It has struggled to redefine its political role and now faces a long and potentially damaging three-month leadership battle.
The party lost two seats in the Assembly elections leaving it with 14 seats to Sinn Féin’s 29.
The results cemented the lead role at the Assembly of Sinn Féin and the DUP, which finished as the largest party with 38 seats.
Mr McGlone was overlooked when Ms Ritchie appointed Alex Attwood to the SDLP’s sole ministerial post at Stormont. – (Additional reporting: PA)