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19/09/2001
Durkan enters running for SDLP leadership
Stormont Finance minister Mark Durkan has announced that he will be putting his name forward in the race for leadership of the SDLP.
The leadership of the nationalist party became vacant on Monday 17 September when John Hume announced that he was retiring from the post he held for 22 years. Mr Hume, a veteran politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, cited health reasons for his decision to cut back on his workload.
Following Mr Hume’s announcement, deputy leader of the SDLP, Séamus Mallon, quelled speculation that he would be in the running to replace him. Mr Mallon also said that he was resigning his position as deputy leader of the SDLP.
Nominations for the dual leadership roles have to be submitted by this weekend and the party will elect its new leader and deputy leader at its annual conference on 10 November.
Mr Durkan, 41, represents the Foyle constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly and has proven himself as Finance minister in the Stormont Executive.
Sources indicate that Mr Durkan is the favourite to succeed Mr Hume and that his bid for the leadership will be unchallenged in the annual SDLP convention in November.
Meanwhile, former Belfast Lord Mayor Alban Maginness has declared his candidacy for the deputy leader position.
Agriculture Minister Bríd Rodgers, Employment Minister Sean Farren, South Down MP Mr Eddie McGrady and assembly members Joe Byrne, Patricia Lewsley and Eamon O’Neill are also being tipped as possible candidates. (AMcE)
The leadership of the nationalist party became vacant on Monday 17 September when John Hume announced that he was retiring from the post he held for 22 years. Mr Hume, a veteran politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, cited health reasons for his decision to cut back on his workload.
Following Mr Hume’s announcement, deputy leader of the SDLP, Séamus Mallon, quelled speculation that he would be in the running to replace him. Mr Mallon also said that he was resigning his position as deputy leader of the SDLP.
Nominations for the dual leadership roles have to be submitted by this weekend and the party will elect its new leader and deputy leader at its annual conference on 10 November.
Mr Durkan, 41, represents the Foyle constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly and has proven himself as Finance minister in the Stormont Executive.
Sources indicate that Mr Durkan is the favourite to succeed Mr Hume and that his bid for the leadership will be unchallenged in the annual SDLP convention in November.
Meanwhile, former Belfast Lord Mayor Alban Maginness has declared his candidacy for the deputy leader position.
Agriculture Minister Bríd Rodgers, Employment Minister Sean Farren, South Down MP Mr Eddie McGrady and assembly members Joe Byrne, Patricia Lewsley and Eamon O’Neill are also being tipped as possible candidates. (AMcE)
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05 March 2019
Former SDLP Leader To Stand For Fine Gael
Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan is set to run as an election candidate for Fine Gael in the upcoming European elections in May. It comes after the Stormont party recently announced its partnership with Fianna Fáil. The former Foyle MP will return as a Fine Gael candidate for Dublin. Mr Durkan led the SDLP from 2001 to 2010, succeeding John Hume.
Former SDLP Leader To Stand For Fine Gael
Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan is set to run as an election candidate for Fine Gael in the upcoming European elections in May. It comes after the Stormont party recently announced its partnership with Fianna Fáil. The former Foyle MP will return as a Fine Gael candidate for Dublin. Mr Durkan led the SDLP from 2001 to 2010, succeeding John Hume.
02 October 2013
SDLP 'Regrets' IRA Play Park Naming
SDLP leader Alistair McDonnell has said he "regrets" the decision to reaffirm the naming of a children's playground in Newry, County Down, after an IRA hunger striker.
SDLP 'Regrets' IRA Play Park Naming
SDLP leader Alistair McDonnell has said he "regrets" the decision to reaffirm the naming of a children's playground in Newry, County Down, after an IRA hunger striker.
25 October 2010
John Hume Awarded 'Greatest' Honour
Former SDLP stalwart, John Hume has spoken of his "tremendous honour" at being awarded the prize of 'Ireland's Greatest'. An RTÉ programme had whittled a top 40 contenders down to five this week, with viewers in the Irish Republic then voting the former SDLP leader to the top spot.
John Hume Awarded 'Greatest' Honour
Former SDLP stalwart, John Hume has spoken of his "tremendous honour" at being awarded the prize of 'Ireland's Greatest'. An RTÉ programme had whittled a top 40 contenders down to five this week, with viewers in the Irish Republic then voting the former SDLP leader to the top spot.
20 September 2001
Four enter the race for SDLP deputy leadership
Four candidates have announced their intention to run for the soon to be vacated deputy leader position of the SDLP. The position has become available following the resignation of Séamus Mallon on Tuesday.
Four enter the race for SDLP deputy leadership
Four candidates have announced their intention to run for the soon to be vacated deputy leader position of the SDLP. The position has become available following the resignation of Séamus Mallon on Tuesday.
18 September 2001
Séamus Mallon bows out of SDLP leadership
The Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Séamus Mallon has - much to the surprise of his supporters - ruled himself out of the SDLP leadership contest. The announcement from the Newry and Armagh MP comes just one day after leader of the SDLP, John Hume, said that he was resigning his position in November later this year.
Séamus Mallon bows out of SDLP leadership
The Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Séamus Mallon has - much to the surprise of his supporters - ruled himself out of the SDLP leadership contest. The announcement from the Newry and Armagh MP comes just one day after leader of the SDLP, John Hume, said that he was resigning his position in November later this year.
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