THE SDLP gathers in Armagh city this evening for its annual conference insistent that the party remains relevant despite its standing as the smaller nationalist party in the Assembly.
Party sources say attendance will be up on previous years and that the number of motions submitted, more than 280, outstrips recent conferences.
Mark Durkan’s leader’s address will also be televised live by the BBC tomorrow afternoon and there is expected to be significant interest in a special fringe event concentrating on miscarriages of justice.
Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four, Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six, justice campaigner Raymond McCord and Brid Boyle of the Ballymurphy Massacre Families will participate.
Mr Durkan’s speech was still being completed last night, but it is understood he will insist that the party is better able to address the needs of the community than those who have greater authority in the Stormont Executive. It is thought he will devote significant time to the North’s economic ills.
The Foyle MP will also turn to the operation of the Executive and its failure to meet for 150 days last year.
Addressing the conference theme Your needs – Our priorities, speeches from senior party members are expected to refer to three central themes: the running of the DUP-Sinn Féin-led Executive; the handling of the economic downturn and the delayed devolution of policing and justice powers.
The conference will also look ahead to next June’s European election and its effort to improve on a poor showing at the last poll.