Social Democratic and Labour Party

This article is about the political party of Northern Ireland. For other uses, seeSocial Democratic Labour Party (disambiguation).

"SDLP" redirects here. For other uses, seeSDLP (disambiguation).

TheSocial Democratic and Labour Party(SDLP;Irish:Páirtí Sóisialta agus Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre)is asocial democraticandIrish nationalistpolitical partyinNorthern Ireland.The SDLP currently has eight members in theNorthern Ireland Assembly(MLAs) and twomembers of Parliament(MPs) in theHouse of Commons of the United Kingdom.

Social Democratic and Labour Party Páirtí Sóisialta agus Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre
Abbreviation	SDLP
Leader	Claire Hanna
President	Bríd Rodgers
Chairperson	Daniel McCrossan
Founders	Gerry Fitt John Hume Ivan Cooper Austin Currie Paddy Devlin Paddy O'Hanlon Paddy Wilson
Founded	21 August 1970(1970-08-21)
Preceded by	National Democratic Party Factions from: Irish Labour Party Nationalist Party Northern Ireland Labour Party Republican Labour Party Ulster Liberal Party
Headquarters	121 Ormeau Road Belfast BT7 1SH
Youth wing	SDLP Youth
Women's wing	SDLP Women
LGBT wing	SDLP LGBT+
Ideology	Social democracy Irish nationalism
Political position	Centre-left
European affiliation	Party of European Socialists
International affiliation	Socialist International(observer)
Colours	GreenRed
House of Commons (NI seats)	2 / 18
NI Assembly	8 / 90
Councillors in Northern Ireland	36 / 462
Councils led in Northern Ireland	1 / 11
Website
sdlp.ie
Politics of Northern Ireland Political parties Elections

The SDLPparty platformadvocatesIrish reunificationand, pending the unity of all the people of Ireland and while the northern jurisdiction remains part of the United Kingdom, furtherdevolution of powers.

Duringthe Troubles,the SDLP was the most popular Irish nationalist party in Northern Ireland, but since theProvisional IRAceasefire in 1994, it has lost ground to therepublicanpartySinn Féin,which in 2001 became the more popular of the two parties for the first time. Established during the Troubles, a significant difference between the two parties was the SDLP's rejection of violence, in contrast to Sinn Féin's then-support for (and organisational ties to) the Provisional IRA andphysical force republicanism.

History

Foundation and early history (1970–1972)

The party was founded on 21 August 1970, when sixStormontMPs (Gerry Fitt,Republican Labour Party;Austin Currie,Nationalist Party;Paddy Devlin,Northern Ireland Labour Party;John Hume,Ivan CooperandPaddy O'Hanlon,Independent) and one Senator (Paddy Wilson,Republican Labour), joined to form a new party.They were joined on 10 November by a second Senator (Claude Wilton,Ulster Liberal Party), bringing the total parliamentary party to eight members.Gerry Fitt was chosen to lead the new party while John Hume was appointed its deputy. Paddy Wilson also became the party’s first General Secretary.

The smallerNational Democratic Partydissolved itself in October of that year and encouraged all its members to join the new party.Additionally, individual members and branches from other parties joined including from theIrish Labour Party,Nationalist Party, Northern Ireland Labour Party, Republican Labour Party and Ulster Liberal Party.

The SDLP contested its first election in a by-election for theBelfast St. Anne’sseat on 12 November. Their candidate Gerry Laverty won 24.2% of the vote in the traditionally Unionist seat.

The SDLP initially rejected the Nationalist Party's policy of abstentionism and sought to fight for civil rights within the Stormont system.However, the SDLP quickly came to the view that Stormont was unreformable, refusing to attend the state opening on 18 June 1971, and withdrawing altogether in response the shooting dead of Seamus Cusack and Desmond Beattie in Derry on 8 July.

On 15 August the SDLP announced they would lead a Campaign of Civil Disobedience in response to the introduction of internment the previous week. This involved the withdrawal of SDLP representatives from public bodies, the organisation of a rent and rates strike and SDLP MPs participating in a 48 hour hunger strike outside 10 Downing Street.

The SDLP held its first annual conference in Dungiven on 23 October that year. The party adopted its draft constitution, Eddie McGrady was elected the party’s first chairman while Sheila Carson becomes its first secretary. Several motions were passed including committing the party firmly to socialism, supporting the parliamentary party’s decision to withdraw from Stormont and condemning the 11-plus.

After the abolition of theParliament of Northern Irelandin 1972, the SDLP emerged as the largest party representing the nationalist community. On 20 September the party issued its first major policy document, entitled "Towards a New Ireland".It recommended that the British Government issue a declaration that it would recognise that Ireland is better off united, and that as an interim proposal Northern Ireland should be administered jointly by the British and Irish Governments. It also proposed the establishment of a National Senate drawn equally from a devolved Assembly in Belfast and the Oireachtas in Dublin to plan for the integration of the island.

Sunningdale Agreement (1973–1974)

The first major electoral contest for the SDLP wereelections to Northern Ireland’s 26 new district councils,held on 30 May 1973. The SDLP won 13.4% of the vote and 82 seats, becoming the second largest party in Northern Ireland and the largest party in the districts ofDerry,MagherafeltandNewry and Mourne.Other nationalist parties failed to achieve much success, leaving the SDLP as the largest party representing the nationalist community.

Paddy Wilson, the SDLP’s General Secretary and councillor in the new Belfast City Council wasmurdered on the 26 June,two days before the election to the new Northern Ireland Assembly. Wilson and another woman, Irene Andrews, were killed by the UFF, a codename for the UDA. John White was later convicted for his part in the killings.

Following publication of the British Government’s White Paper,electionswere held to the newNorthern Ireland Assemblyon 28 June, where the party won 19 out of 75 seats and once again emerged as the voice of the nationalist community, increasing its vote share to 22% of the vote.Negotiations occurred throughout October and November on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive to govern Northern Ireland with the SDLP,UUPandAlliancetaking part. On 21 NovemberNorthern Ireland Secretary of State,William Whitelaw,announced that agreement had been reached on the composition and functions of the new Executive, with the SDLP entitled to four of the eleven members and a further two non-Executive office holders. Agreement was still to be reached on many other aspects of the White Paper, particularly regarding the Council of Ireland.

Following discussions between theBritish Prime MinisterandIrish Taoiseach,as well as the political parties, it was announced on 9 December atSunningdalethat an agreement had been reached on the remaining elements of the White Paper, including the implementation of a Council of Ireland.

On 1 January 1974 theNorthern Ireland Executivetook office, with Gerry Fitt as Deputy Chief Executive, John Hume as Minister of Commerce, Paddy Devlin as Minister of Health and Social Services and Austin Currie as Minister of Housing, Local Government and Planning.

The SDLP faced its firstWestminster electionshortly afterwards in February in what became a referendum on power-sharing. The anti-power-sharing Unionists united under theUUUCbanner and won 11 seats, with Gerry Fitt being the only pro-power-sharing MP returned, dealing a critical blow to the fledgling Executive. The Executive eventually collapsed after 5 months following several weeks of theUlster Workers’ Council strike.

Searching for agreement (1975–1980)

Attempting to find agreement, the Secretary of State called elections for aConstitutional Conventionon 1 May 1975, for which the SDLP won 17 seats and 24% of the vote.The UUUC however won a majority of seats and votes, the Constitutional Convention made no progress and the British Government brought it to an end in early 1976. Later that year on 1 September SDLP member Denis Mullen was shot dead at his home.

Following the failure of the Constitutional Convention the SDLP continued searching for a long term solution, at times engaging in talks with the UUP. In 1977 the party issued a policy document titled "Facing Reality". This called for the party to put a stronger emphasis on the "Irish dimension". In response to this perceived move away from the party’s Labour valuesPaddy Devlin,then party chairperson, resigned from the party.

In 1978 SDLP deputy leaderJohn Humepresented his proposal for an "agreed Ireland". In contrast to the two main options at the time of full integration into Britain or full withdrawal, Hume’s solution proposed the British government declaring that its aim was to bring the main traditions in Ireland together in reconciliation.

After years of little progress 1979 brought considerably more action for the SDLP. Avote of confidencein the Labour Government failed in March that year.Gerry Fittabstained on the vote as the Government had failed to act on the Bennett Report into RUC interrogation techniques.In the following general election, theConservativescame to power in Westminster and Fitt held his seat in Belfast West.

In June that year the first directelection to the European Parliamentwere held. The SDLP candidate was John Hume who won a seat with 25% of the first preference vote. He went on to sit in theSocialist Groupin the European Parliament.

The new Conservative Secretary of State,Humphrey Atkins,invited Northern Ireland parties including the SDLP to a conference on the future of Northern Ireland. There was intense debate in the SDLP whether or not to attend a conference which would not discuss any all-island dimension, with Gerry Fitt wanting to attend regardless of any discussion on an "Irish dimension" while many others, including John Hume, refusing to attend. As a result of this dispute Fitt resigned as SDLP leader.On 28 November John Hume was elected as his replacement, andSeamus Mallonbecame his deputy.

The SDLP eventually made the decision to attend the Atkins conference, on the condition that there would be parallel discussions involving the "Irish dimension". These talks, like others, failed to reach agreement.

Entry of Sinn Féin (1981–1982)

Following the death ofFermanagh and South TyroneMPFrank Maguireand the selection of hunger strikerBobby Sandsas a candidate in thefollowing by-electionthe SDLP decided to withdrawAustin Currieas their candidate.The election was held on 9 April and Bobby Sands won the seat by a slim margin. As the strikes went on, SDLP leader John Hume met Prime MinisterMargaret Thatcherto ask that she concede some of the demands of the hunger strikers. No agreement was forthcoming. When Sands died, the SDLP also stood aside for Owen Carron, who also won the seat by a narrow margin.

The hunger strikes also had an impact on the electoral fortunes of the SDLP. Inlocal government elections in 1981the SDLP vote share fell to 17.5% as nationalist voters began to support more candidates from parties like theIrish Independence PartyandIrish Republican Socialist Party.

In Spring 1982Northern Ireland Secretary of StateJim Priorproposed “rolling devolution” by which a consultative Assembly be established. John Hume labelled the proposals as unworkable as they offered no realistic prospect of power-sharing or offered any role for the Irish Government.

In May of that year the SDLP secured a seat inSeanad Éireannas new TaoiseachCharles Haugheyappointed SDLP Deputy LeaderSeamus Mallonto serve as a voice for Northern nationalists.

As the elections to the Assembly approached the party announced that although it would contest the election, none of its representatives would take their seats. Theelection,held on 20 October, mirrored the SDLP’s performance in the local elections the previous year as the party won 18.8% of the vote and took 14 seats. The decision bySinn Féinto stand also had an impact on the SDLP vote as the party, considered to be the political wing of the Provisional IRA, took 10.1% of the vote and 5 seats.

As a result of Seamus Mallon’s membership of Seanad Éireann he was removed as a member of the Assembly and a by-election was held inArmaghthe following spring. The SDLP called for a boycott and amidst low turnout the UUP won the election.

New Ireland Forum (1983–1984)

In the lead up to the 1982 Assembly election the SDLP proposed a “Council for a New Ireland” in its manifesto. This, with the assistance of the Irish Government, was realised in the creation of theNew Ireland Forumin March 1983. It was a forum “all democratic parties which reject violence and which have members elected or appointed to eitherHouse of the Oireachtasor theNorthern Ireland Assembly”.The SDLP, along withFianna Fáil,Fine GaelandLabourall joined. The Forum met for the first time on 30 May with five SDLP members: John Hume, Austin Currie, Joe Hendron, Eddie McGrady and Seamus Mallon.

Submissions were taken from sectors, individuals and organisations across the island of Ireland, examining the long-term future of the island. After a year of work the Forum published its report in May 1984, detailing three possible structures for a new Ireland. The three options of a unitary state, federal/confederal state and joint authority were rooted in previous SDLP policy and went on to influence the policies of the Irish Government and the major political parties in the Republic in relation to Northern Ireland in the following decade.

In the general election in June 1983 the SDLP failed to regain the seat in Belfast West it had lost when Gerry Fitt resigned from the party. However, John Hume was elected to the House of Commons for the new constituency ofFoyle.The following year Hume also retained his seat in the European Parliament.

Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985–1987)

Throughout the 1970s and 80s SDLP leader John Hume used his connections with influential Irish-American politicians Tip O'Neill, Ted Kennedy, Daniel Moynihan and Hugh Carey to push the SDLP’s analysis of the division and conflict on the island of Ireland.The “Four Horsemen” and other senior politicians persuaded President Ronald Reagan to encourage British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to work with the Irish Government to agree a collective way forward. Negotiations began in early 1985 and concluded on 15 November with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Although the agreement was supported by the SDLP, it faced considerable opposition from Unionist parties. Fifteen Unionist MPs resigned their Westminster seats forcing by-elections in January 1986. The SDLP targeted constituencies where support for the Anglo-Irish Agreement was strongest and subsequently managed to win Newry and Armagh, where deputy leader Seamus Mallon won the seat from the Ulster Unionists.

This success continued into the 1987 general election where the SDLP’s support for the agreement saw its vote rise to levels last seen when the party was first founded in the early 70s, mostly at the expense of Sinn Féin. In addition to holding both their current seats, Eddie McGrady won the seat of South Down from Enoch Powell, finally ending his political career.

Hume-Adams Talks (1988-1994)

In January 1988 SDLP Leader John Hume began a series of secret talks with Sinn Féin PresidentGerry Adamswhich lasted until August of that year.

The following year local government elections were held. These elections saw the Party’s best result at a local election since its foundation, winning 21% of the vote and 121 seats.These came mostly at the expense of Sinn Féin, who voters began to turn away from following a number of IRA atrocities. In the European Election that June, John Hume increased the SDLP vote to 25%.In April 1992 the SDLP reached their electoral high point, asJoe Hendronwon theBelfast Westseat at the expense of Gerry Adams. The SDLP now had four MPs.

In late 1992, knowledge of talks between John Hume and Gerry Adams became public. The talks were criticised by many, both within the SDLP and outside. The talks would eventually lead to theDowning Street Declarationby British Prime MinisterJohn Majorand TaoiseachAlbert Reynolds,which laid the ground for a ceasefire and negotiations.

Throughout 1994, SDLP representatives continued to face attacks from paramilitaries, as loyalists burnt out Joe Hendron’s car while CouncillorJohn Feewas beaten by Republicans outside his home.On 31 August the IRA announced a ceasefire, followed shortly afterwards by the loyalist paramilitaries. Hume, Adams and Reynolds met in Dublin and publicly shook hands. The SDLP Leader called for peace negotiations to begin without delay.

Good Friday Agreement (1995-1998)

Throughout 1995 the SDLP continued to engage in talks with the Irish and British Governments, and with other political parties to establish formal all-party talks. They suggested appointing former US SenatorGeorge Mitchellto oversee an international body on arms decommissioning. TheGovernmentthen established this body which produced the “Mitchell Principles”which parties will be required to meet if they were to enter talks.Following this, the Prime MinisterJohn Majorannounced details of an election to aForumwhich will comprise the parties involved in talks. The election took place in May 1996 where the SDLP took 24% of the vote and 21 seats.

Leading up to the next general election there was some speculation on the SDLP forming an electoral pact withSinn Féin.SDLP LeaderJohn Humestated that this would only be considered in the event of anIRAceasefire and Sinn Féin agreeing to end their policy ofabstentionism.TheMay 1997election yielded mixed results for the SDLP.The party increased its vote share to its highest ever level, however lost their seat inBelfast Westto Sinn Féin. In thelocal electionsheld a few weeks later the SDLP also increased its vote share but lost seven seats.After the electionAlban Maginnesswas appointedLord Mayor of Belfast,becoming the first nationalist to hold this position.

Following changes of government inIrelandand theUKtalks reconvened in autumn of 1997. The SDLP participated in these talks alongside other parties. Agreement was finally reached on 10 April 1998 when the SDLP, seven other parties, the British and Irish Governments signed theGood Friday Agreement.In the subsequent referendum the SDLP campaigned for a “Yes” vote, with SDLP leaderJohn Humeappearing onstage withU2frontmanBonoandUUPleaderDavid Trimble.The result was a resounding victory for the “Yes” campaign, who secured 71.12% in Northern Ireland. Both Hume and Trimble won theNobel Peace Prizelater that year for their efforts in securing the Agreement.

As a result of the Agreement,electionsto a newNorthern Ireland Assemblywere held in June 1998; the SDLP emerged as the second-largest party overall, and the largest nationalist party, with 24 out of 108 seats.The party was then returned to government later in the year when apower-sharingExecutivewas established for Northern Ireland. The SDLP took office alongside theUlster Unionist Party(UUP), theDemocratic Unionist Party(DUP), andSinn Féin,and the SDLP'sSeamus MallonbecameDeputy First Ministeralongside the UUP's First Minister,David Trimble.

Upon Mallon's retirement in 2001,Mark Durkansucceeded him as Deputy First Minister.

All-island Merger

There had been a debate in the party on the prospects of amalgamation withFianna Fáil.Little came of this speculation and former party leaderMargaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrickrejected the idea. Speaking at the 2010Irish Labour Partynational conference in Galway she said that a merger would not happen while she was leader – "Merger with Fianna Fáil? Not on my watch."After his election as Fianna Fáil Leader in January 2011,Micheál Martinrepeatedly dismissed the possibility of a merger or electoral alliance with the SDLP. 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.

In February 2019, at a special party conference, the members approved a partnership withFianna Fáil,the main opposition party in the Republic of Ireland. 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 onIrish reunification.

Claire Hanna,MLA forBelfast Southand party spokesperson on Brexit, quit the assembly group as a result.

In the lead up to the2022 Assembly election,party leaderColum Eastwoodplayed down the partnership stating, "The SDLP stands on its own two feet."This led people to commentate that the partnership is no longer active, with comments from as early as 2020 determining that it had been "quietly forgotten".The partnership officially ended on 28 September 2022.

Westminster Parliament

In contrast toSinn Féin,which follows a policy ofabstentionism,the SDLP MPs have always taken their seat in theWestminster parliament.The party's first MP was leaderGerry Fittwho was already a sitting MP when the SDLP was founded.The SDLP's best result was in1992 general electionwhen they won four out of 17 seats. Its worst result was in2017when they lost all their seats. In2019they won two seats.

Although not abstentionist, SDLP MPs have protested theparliamentary oathrequired of every member of parliament. At the swearing in ceremony after the 2019 general election, the party leaderColum Eastwoodsaid:

"Under protest and in order to represent my constituency, I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. My true allegiance is to the people of Derry and the people of Ireland."

Proposed Dáil participation

The SDLP, along with Sinn Féin, have long sought speaking rights inDáil Éireann,thelower houseof the Republic'sparliament.In 2005,TaoiseachBertie Ahern,leader ofFianna Fáil,put forward a proposal to allow MPs and MEPs from Northern Ireland to participate in debates on the region. However, the plan was met with vociferous opposition from the Republic's main opposition parties,Fine Gaeland theLabour Party,and was subsequently shelved.Unionists had also strongly opposed the proposal.

Remembrance Day 2010

OnRemembrance Dayin 2010, party leaderMargaret Ritchiebecame the first leader of a nationalist party to wear a poppy while attending a wreath-laying ceremony inDownpatrick,County Down.The poppy is worn on the lapel in theUnited Kingdomas a mark of respect and remembrance for fallen British 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 theBritish Army.Because of this, it has long been the preserve of theunionist/loyalistcommunity.Her actions drew praise from unionists.

Leadership challenges and elections, 2011–2024

On 27 July 2011, it was reported that Margaret Ritchie faced a leadership challenge from deputy leaderPatsy McGlone.The Phoenixreported that only oneMLA,Alex Attwoodwas prepared to back her and that "she will be humiliated if she puts her leadership to a vote".

Alasdair McDonnell was confirmed as Ritchie's successor after the subsequent leadership election on 5 November 2011.

Colum Eastwoodchallenged McDonnell and replaced him as leader after the party's2015 leadership election.

Eastwood stood down as leader in 2024.Deputy leaderClaire Hanna,was selected to replace Eastwood during the2024 leadership electionwhen she ran unopposed. Ratification for the new party leadership will take place at a conference in October 2024.

Ideology and policies

The SDLP is asocial democraticparty that opposesausterityandBrexit.It is also anIrish nationalistparty advocating for a shared home place for all the people on the island of Ireland.

While the party is officiallyanti-abortion,it does not apply a party whip on the issue.The party supportsLGBTrights includingmarriage equality,the roll out ofPrEPacross Northern Ireland and LGBT education in schools. The SDLP is anti-xenophobic and opposes plans to create what it deems a hostile environment for immigrants.The party also supports anIrish language act.

The SDLP believes that 3,000social and affordable housesshould be built every year. They oppose the gig economy andzero-hour contracts.The party opposes welfare reform and the cut touniversal credit.

Despite opposingacademic selection,the party does not advocate the abolition ofgrammar schools.The party supports the abolition oftuition fees.It wants to make a modern language up toGCSEand the teaching of maths up to the age of 18 compulsory.

The party believes that theMagee campusinDerryshould be expanded to 10,000 student places.

The party supports agreen corporate levyon businesses who contribute large amounts ofgreenhouse gasesand a green jobs strategy. They also believe that aclimate emergencyshould be declared and the government should be required to reachnet zero emissions.

Leadership

Claire Hannais the seventh leader of the SDLP, taking over fromColum Eastwoodin 2024.

List of leaders

No.	Leader (birth–death)		Constituency	Took office	Left office
1	Gerry Fitt (1926–2005)		MP (Parliament of Northern Ireland)forBelfast Dock(1962–1972) MP (UK Parliament)forBelfast West(1966–1983)	21 August 1970	22 November 1979
2	John Hume (1937–2020)		MP (Parliament of Northern Ireland) forFoyle(1969–1972) MEPforNorthern Ireland(1979–2004) MP (UK Parliament) forFoyle(1983–2005) MLAforFoyle(1998–2000)	28 November 1979 (acting from 22 November 1979)	11 November 2001
3	Mark Durkan (b. 1960)		MLA forFoyle(1998–2010) MP forFoyle(2005–2017)	11 November 2001	7 February 2010
4	Margaret Ritchie (b. 1958)		MLA forSouth Down(2003–2012) MP forSouth Down(2010–2017)	7 February 2010 (elected)	5 November 2011
5	Alasdair McDonnell (b. 1949)		MLA forBelfast South(1998–2015) MP forBelfast South(2005–2017)	5 November 2011 (elected)	14 November 2015
6	Colum Eastwood (b. 1983)		MLA forFoyle(2011–2019) MP forFoyle(from2019)	14 November 2015 (elected)	5 October 2024
7	Claire Hanna (b. 1980)		MLA forBelfast South(2015–2019) MP forBelfast South(2019–2024) MP forBelfast South and Mid Down(2024–present)	5 October 2024 (elected)	incumbent

List of deputy leaders

No.	Deputy leader (birth–death)		Constituency	Took office	Left office	Leader
1	John Hume (1937–2020)		MP (Parliament of Northern Ireland) forFoyle(1969–1972) MEPforNorthern Ireland(1979–2004) MP (UK Parliament) forFoyle(1983–2005) MLAforFoyle(1998–2000)	21 August 1970	28 November 1979	Gerry Fitt
2	Seamus Mallon (1936–2020)		MP forNewry and Armagh(1986–2005) MLA forNewry and Armagh(1998–2003)	28 November 1979	11 November 2001	John Hume
3	Bríd Rodgers (b. 1935)		MLA forUpper Bann(1998–2003)	11 November 2001	22 February 2004	Mark Durkan
4	Alasdair McDonnell (b. 1949)		MLA forBelfast South(1998–2015) MP forBelfast South(2005–2017)	22 February 2004	7 November 2010
5	Patsy McGlone (b. 1959)		MLA forMid-Ulster(from2003)	7 February 2010	5 November 2011	Margaret Ritchie
6	Dolores Kelly (b. 1959)		MLA forUpper Bann(2003–2016;2017–2022)	5 November 2011	14 November 2015	Alasdair McDonnell
7	Fearghal McKinney (b. 1962)		MLA forBelfast South(2013–2016)	14 November 2015	5 May 2016	Colum Eastwood
Position Vacant
8	Nichola Mallon (b. 1979)		MLA forBelfast North(2016–2022)	12 September 2017	5 May 2022
Position Vacant
Position Abolished

Elected representatives

The SDLP currently have two MPs in theUK Parliament,seven MLAs in theNorthern Ireland Assemblyand 36 councillors across Northern Ireland's11 councils.

Northern Ireland council seats
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council	1 / 40
Ards and North Down Borough Council	1 / 40
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council	1 / 41
Belfast City Council	5 / 60
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council	3 / 40
Derry City and Strabane District Council	7 / 40
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council	3 / 40
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council	2 / 40
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council	0 / 40
Mid Ulster District Council	5 / 40
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council	8 / 41

MPs

MP	Constituency	Period	Notes
Colum Eastwood	Foyle	2019–present	Spokesperson for a New Ireland;FoyleMLA2011–2019
Claire Hanna	Belfast South and Mid Down	2024–present	SDLP Leader; Spokesperson for Europe and International Affairs;Belfast SouthMLA 2015–2019;Belfast SouthMP 2019–2024

MLAs

MLA	Constituency	Period	Notes
Mark H. Durkan	Foyle	2011–present	Spokesperson for Climate Change and Infrastructure
Cara Hunter	East Londonderry	2020–present	Spokesperson for Children and Young People
Daniel McCrossan	West Tyrone	2015–present	SDLP Chairperson; Spokesperson for Social Justice
Patsy McGlone	Mid Ulster	2003–present	Spokesperson for Rural Communities
Colin McGrath	South Down	2016–present	SDLP Chief Whip; Spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing
Sinead McLaughlin	Foyle	2020–present	Spokesperson for Jobs, the Economy and Justice
Justin McNulty	Newry and Armagh	2016–present	Spokesperson for Reconciliation and Sport
Matthew O'Toole	Belfast South	2020–present	Leader of the Opposition;Spokesperson for the Cost of Living Crisis

Other spokespeople

Councillor	District	DEA	Notes
Joe Boyle	Ards and North Down	Ards Peninsuala	Spokesperson for rural transport
Pete Byrne	Newry, Mourne and Down	Slieve Gullion	Spokesperson for all-island rail
Laura Devlin	Newry, Mourne and Down	The Mournes	Spokesperson for tourism and hospitality
Paul Doherty	Belfast	Black Mountain	Spokesperson for ending poverty
Adam Gannon	Fermanagh and Omagh	Erne West	Spokesperson for education reform
Roisin Lynch	Antrim and Newtownabbey	Antrim	Spokesperson for rural isolation and loneliness
Dónal Lyons	Belfast	Balmoral	Spokesperson for heritage, culture and arts
Kerri Martin	Mid Ulster	Cookstown	Spokesperson for community integration
Gary McKeown	Belfast	Botanic	Spokesperson for climate emergency and net zero
Margaret Anne McKillop	Causeway Coast and Glens	The Glens	Spokesperson for rural opportunities
Malachy Quinn	Mid Ulster	Torrent	Spokesperson for regional investment
Ashleen Schenning	Causeway Coast and Glens	Limavady	Spokesperson for training and skills
Gareth Sharvin	Newry, Mourne and Down	Downpatrick	Spokesperson for equalities
Carl Whyte	Belfast	Castle	Spokesperson for health service reform

Electoral performance

Upon its formation, the SDLP quickly established itself as the second largest party and the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland. It largely held this position until the beginning of the 21st century. In the1998 Assembly election,it became the biggest party overall in terms of votes received and the first nationalist party to do so. This would be the largest seat share it would ever hold as it slowly saw declining support following the retirement ofJohn Humein 2001.

Under leaderMark Durkan,the2001 general electionand the2003 Assembly electionsaw fellow Irish nationalist partySinn Féinwin more seats and votes than the SDLP for the first time, a position they would continue to hold. In the2004 European elections,Hume stood down and the SDLP failed to retain the seat he had held since 1979, losing it toSinn Féin.Alban Maginnessattempted to take the seat again in the2009 European electionsthe party fielded as their candidate and failed to gain a seat with 78,489 first preference votes.The party further declined in the2011 Assembly electionsand the2016 Assembly election,as the total number of votes received continued to drop.

The2017 Assembly electionsaw the party retain its 12-seat count from the prior election, increasing its seat share due to a drop in the size of the assembly for the first time since 1998. This was followed by the2017 general electionwhere the SDLP lost all three seats and returned its worst ever vote share. In the2019 European election,the final in the United Kingdom's history, party leaderColum Eastwoodran, increasing his party's vote but failing to take a seat. In thegeneral electionlater 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. The two seats held by the party currently have the largest majorities of any constituencies in Northern Ireland.

In the2022 Assembly election,the SDLP slipped to the 5th largest party with only eight seats in the Assembly.

Some see the SDLP as first and foremost a party now representingCatholicmiddle-class interests, with voters concentrated in rural areas and the professional classes, rather than a vehicle for Irish nationalism.The SDLP reject this argument, pointing to their strong support inDerryand their victory inSouth Belfastin the2005 Westminster election.Furthermore, in the lead up to that election, they published a document outlining their plans for a politically united Ireland. Their decline in Northern Ireland outside of two particular strongholds had led some to dub the party, the "South Down and Londonderry Party".

Devolved legislature elections

Election	Body	Leader	First Preference Votes		Seats		Position	Government
			No.	Share	No.	Change
1973	1973 Assembly	Gerry Fitt	159,773	22.1%	19 / 78	19	2nd	UUP-SDLP-Alliance
1975	Constitutional Convention		156,049	23.7%	17 / 78	2	2nd	Direct rule
1982	1982 Assembly	John Hume	118,891	18.8%	14 / 78	3	3rd	Direct rule
1996	Forum		160,786	21.4%	21 / 110	7	3rd	Direct rule
1998	1st Assembly		177,963	22.0%	24 / 108	3	2nd	UUP–SDLP–DUP–Sinn Féin
2003	2nd Assembly	Mark Durkan	117,547	17.0%	18 / 108	6	4th	Direct rule
2007	3rd Assembly		105,164	15.2%	16 / 108	2	4th	DUP–Sinn Féin–UUP–SDLP–Alliance
2011	4th Assembly	Margaret Ritchie	94,286	14.2%	14 / 108	2	4th	DUP–Sinn Féin–UUP–SDLP–Alliance
2016	5th Assembly	Colum Eastwood	83,364	12.0%	12 / 108	2	4th	DUP–Sinn Féin–Independent
2017	6th Assembly		95,958	11.9%	12 / 90		3rd	DUP–Sinn Féin–SDLP–UUP–Alliance
2022	7th Assembly		78,237	9.1%	8 / 90	4	5th	Opposition

Westminster elections

Election	House of Commons	Leader	Votes		Seats		Position	Government
			No.	Share	No.	Change
Feb 1974	46th	Gerry Fitt	160,137	22.4%(in NI) 0.5%(in UK)	1 / 12	1	3rd	Labour
Oct 1974	47th		154,193	22.0%(in NI) 0.6%(in UK)	1 / 12		3rd	Labour
1979	48th		126,325	18.2%(in NI) 0.4%(in UK)	1 / 12		3rd	Conservative
1983	49th	John Hume	137,012	17.9%(in NI) 0.4%(in UK)	1 / 17		3rd	Conservative
1987	50th		154,067	21.1%(in NI) 0.5%(in UK)	3 / 17	2	2nd	Conservative
1992	51st		184,445	23.5%(in NI) 0.5%(in UK)	4 / 17	1	2nd	Conservative
1997	52nd		190,814	24.1%(in NI) 0.6%(in UK)	3 / 18	1	2nd	Labour
2001	53rd		169,865	21.0%(in NI) 0.6%(in UK)	3 / 18		4th	Labour
2005	54th	Mark Durkan	125,626	17.5%(in NI) 0.5%(in UK)	3 / 18		3rd	Labour
2010	55th	Margaret Ritchie	110,970	16.5%(in NI) 0.4%(in UK)	3 / 18		3rd	Conservative-Liberal Democrats
2015	56th	Alasdair McDonnell	99,809	13.9%(in NI) 0.3%(in UK)	3 / 18		3rd	Conservative
2017	57th	Colum Eastwood	95,419	11.7%(in NI) 0.3%(in UK)	0 / 18	3		Conservative (DUP confidence and supply)
2019	58th		118,737	14.9%(in NI) 0.4%(in UK)	2 / 18	2	3rd	Conservative
2024	59th		86,861	11.1%(in NI)	2 / 18		3rd	Labour

Local government elections

Election	Leader	First Preference Votes		Seats		Position
		No.	Share	No.	Change
1973	Gerry Fitt	92,600	13.4%	82 / 517	82	2nd
1977		114,775	20.6%	113 / 526	31	2nd
1981	John Hume	116,487	17.5%	104 / 526	9	3rd
1985		113,967	17.8%	102 / 565	2	3rd
1989		129,557	21.0%	121 / 565	19	2nd
1993		136,760	22.0%	127 / 582	6	2nd
1997		130,387	21.0%	120 / 575	7	2nd
2001		153,424	19.0%	117 / 582	3	3rd
2005	Mark Durkan	121,991	17.4%	101 / 582	16	4th
2011	Margaret Ritchie	99,325	15.0%	87 / 583	14	4th
2014	Alasdair McDonnell	85,237	13.6%	66 / 462	21	4th
2019	Colum Eastwood	81,419	12.0%	59 / 462	7	4th
2023		64,996	8.7%	39 / 462	20	5th

European elections

Election	Leader	First Preference Votes		Seats		Position
		No.	Share	No.	Change
1979	Gerry Fitt	140,622	25.5%	1 / 3	1	2nd
1984	John Hume	151,399	22.1%	1 / 3		2nd
1989		136,335	25.0%	1 / 3		2nd
1994		161,992	28.9%	1 / 3		2nd
1999		190,731	28.1%	1 / 3		2nd
2004	Mark Durkan	87,559	15.9%	0 / 3	1	4th
2009		78,489	16.1%	0 / 3		4th
2014	Alasdair McDonnell	81,594	13.0%	0 / 3		4th
2019	Colum Eastwood	78,589	13.7%	0 / 3		4th

See also

• Demography and politics of Northern Ireland
• Labour Party in Northern Ireland

External links

• Official website