Latest releases
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25 releases
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Hanna welcomes Fine Gael unity blueprint and calls for joint action
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Fine Gael's all-island proposals, including a North-South ministerial role, a constitutional planning unit and a fund for transition costs. She calls for Government parties to co-ordinate preparation for constitutional change and says the debate must also weigh…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Fine Gael Irish reunification proposals announcement at Ard Fheis Original release: Hanna welcomes Fine Gael unity blueprint and calls for joint action (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approach
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's moves towards structured preparation for Irish constitutional futures, and says she has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris proposing a New Ireland Forum-style process with civic society and parties.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach recognition of constitutional change on Irish unity Original release: SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approach (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland Commitment
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the Taoiseach’s New Ireland commitment, calling it a significant step forward and saying the SDLP will partner with the Irish Government to move from ambition to concrete preparation, including a call for a dedicated minister.
Constitutional affairs Issue: British Prime Minister and Taoiseach commitment on cross-border employment issues Original release: Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland Commitment (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges the Irish Government to fast-track all-island economic integration in its upcoming 2027 spending plans, seeking more Shared Island Fund investment and an All-Island Economic Task Force. She warns that Stormont's lack of budgets is creating uncertainty for public…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: SDLP proposes “no regrets” actions to enhance all-island cooperation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Trump intervention reflects shift in New Ireland debate
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says Donald Trump's comments on Irish unity show how far the debate on Ireland's constitutional future has moved. She calls on Dublin and London to prepare seriously for a New Ireland and says the decision belongs to the people of Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Trump visit to Ireland, September 2026 Original release: Hanna: Trump intervention reflects shift in New Ireland debate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Taoiseach’s border poll comments underline need for New Ireland planning
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Taoiseach Micheál Martin's remarks seeking more clarity on what would trigger a Irish unity referendum, and urges both governments to intensify constitutional preparation. She says institutional reform in the North is an immediate test for the Taoiseach.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach's comments on criteria for triggering an Irish unity referendum Original release: Hanna: Taoiseach’s border poll comments underline need for New Ireland planning (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Tánaiste to set out plans to advance Irish unity
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the party met Tánaiste Simon Harris before Fine Gael's Irish unity blueprint is published, urging a shift from aspiration to concrete preparation for constitutional change and calling for an inclusive, all-island process.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Fine Gael Irish unity blueprint publication Original release: SDLP challenges Tánaiste to set out plans to advance Irish unity (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Statement on UK Prime Minister's Border Poll Comments
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says constitutional change cannot be 'off the table' under the Good Friday Agreement, responding to the UK Prime Minister's border poll comments. She calls for preparation for different constitutional futures and for the Executive to improve Northern Ireland's…
Constitutional affairs Issue: UK Prime Minister's border poll comments Original release: SDLP Statement on UK Prime Minister's Border Poll Comments (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP, speaking at a future of these islands event, argues political leaders must shape change rather than react to it and says the SDLP wants a New and agreed Ireland. She calls for cross-party working and principles to plan for a New Ireland, and invites unionist…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: SDLP "Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change" event at The MAC Original release: SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP announces panellists for cross-party event examining future of these islands
SDLP announces the panellists for the cross‑party event “Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change” at The MAC in Belfast on 25 June, featuring figures such as Leo Varadkar, Jim O’Callaghan, Stephen Gethins, Liz Saville Roberts, Adam Jogee and others, with leader Claire Hanna set to deliver an
Constitutional affairs Issue: Future of these Islands event panel announcement Original release: SDLP announces panellists for cross-party event examining future of these islands (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Planning for the future is only responsible course
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges serious planning for a New Ireland after local election results in Britain showed gains for Reform, warning against a Farage-led Britain and calling on the Irish Government and all parties wanting change to take part.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Reform gains in British local election results May 2026 Original release: Hanna: Planning for the future is only responsible course (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a single Irish state offers the strongest chance to unlock a New Ireland’s economic potential, unveiling the ‘Success by Design’ paper with proposals for an all‑island infrastructure fund, stronger rail links, skills alignment and a Ministry for a New Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Launch of SDLP Success by Design policy paper Original release: SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: UK and Irish Governments must prepare for New Ireland
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the UK and Irish Governments to work together now to plan for constitutional change and a New Ireland, citing lessons from Brexit about preparing before any referendum.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Hanna: UK and Irish Governments must prepare for New Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Secretary of State cannot deny ‘appetite’ for change
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP disputes the Secretary of State’s claim that there is no public desire for a border poll, urging both governments to start planning for a New Ireland and stressing ongoing public conversation about the island’s future.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State says no appetite for border poll Original release: Hanna: Secretary of State cannot deny ‘appetite’ for change (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP Speech SDLP Conference 2025
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the party is launching a new phase to recruit members and candidates, pledges to champion fairness, anti‑sectarianism and a New Ireland, and criticises the Executive for failing on housing, services and environmental issues.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Original release: SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP Speech SDLP Conference 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP calls on Presidential candidates to use platform to progress planning on a New Ireland
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP writes to all candidates in the Irish Presidential election, asking them to use their platform to encourage all-island dialogue on a new and reconciled Ireland. She also calls for presidential voting rights to be extended to citizens in the North and offers a meeting.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Presidential election candidates letter on New Ireland planning Original release: SDLP calls on Presidential candidates to use platform to progress planning on a New Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says a united Ireland is the only realistic way back into the EU, ahead of an Assembly Opposition motion marking nine years since the Brexit vote and urging other parties to accept it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly Opposition motion on a New Ireland and EU rejoining Original release: O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: British politics on a different trajectory
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says British politics is moving in a dark direction after Reform's election gains, arguing this structural shift makes Northern Ireland's future a serious concern and that Anglo-Irish relations cannot be relied upon. She also argues Labour has moved towards a more…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Hanna: British politics on a different trajectory (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Principle of Consent not up for debate
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP warns London that the principle of consent is non-negotiable, responding to remarks by Minister Steve Baker at the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly. He says unionist votes cannot count for more than others, so a simple majority should suffice in any future unity…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Steve Baker remarks on consent principle at British Irish Parliamentary Assembly Original release: Eastwood: Principle of Consent not up for debate (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood challenges British Government on criteria for unity referendum
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to publish clear criteria for an Irish unity referendum, saying democratic transparency is needed after a Supreme Court ruling on Scottish independence powers.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Scottish independence referendum Original release: Eastwood challenges British Government on criteria for unity referendum (opens in a new tab)