THE SDLP will elect a new leader at its February annual conference, with nominations opening on November 1st.
Party leader Mark Durkan revealed last Sunday that he intended to stand down following the next Westminster election, expected late next spring. He said a successful defence of his Foyle seat would mean he would not seek re-election to Stormont.
However, following some tensions within the party since his announcement, the date of his departure has been brought forward. Key party members, many of them privately unhappy with Mr Durkan’s leadership, were said to be unhappy with the prospect of a long lead-in to the change in leadership and pressed for an election.
A meeting of the party’s executive late on Wednesday decided the leadership election should take place at the next annual conference, well ahead of the timetable suggested by Mr Durkan.
A statement released by party chairman Joe Byrne said Mr Durkan had “proposed that the nomination date for the party leadership should be brought forward because he had given an earlier-than-anticipated public indication of his intention not to seek re-election. The executive agreed unanimously with Mark’s proposal”.
“Tonight we also supported the plans for the wider process of party transition, including the party’s agreed political strategy for the months and years ahead, as adopted at our recent party residential at Cookstown.”
He concluded: “Mark Durkan will continue to play a key role in the party both as leader now and as the MP for Foyle in the future.”
Deputy leader and South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell has not commented on his intentions, but The Irish Timeshas been told he will certainly be a candidate.
Minister for Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie is consulting close colleagues and is weighing up her position. She is also considering running as deputy leader.