Latest from SDLP
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
181 releases
-
Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging the UK Government to intervene over proposed BBC Northern Ireland cuts to Irish-language services, including a reported halving of its Irish-language unit staffing.
Disability and equality Issue: BBC NI Irish-language services proposed cuts announcement Original release: Eastwood urges UK Government to intervene over BBC NI Irish-language cuts (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone seeks an urgent meeting with BBC Northern Ireland leadership over reported job losses and restructuring, wanting clarity on effects for staff, local output and Irish language services. He also plans talks with Foras na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: BBC Northern Ireland job losses and restructuring plans Original release: McGlone: BBC Cuts Demand Scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster
The SDLP says Councillor Malachy Quinn has been picked as its candidate for Mid Ulster at the next Assembly election, citing his council record and community work. Party leader Claire Hanna MP and MLA Patsy McGlone both back him, with McGlone stepping aside.
Other Local government Issue: SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster Original release: SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP selects Gerard McDonald as Assembly Candidate for West Belfast
SDLP announces the selection of Gerard McDonald as its candidate for West Belfast at the next Assembly election, with Leader Claire Hanna MP welcoming the choice. McDonald says the Executive has failed to deliver on housing, cost of living and promised change.
Other Housing Issue: SDLP selection of Gerard McDonald for West Belfast Assembly candidacy Original release: SDLP selects Gerard McDonald as Assembly Candidate for West Belfast (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation
SDLP Opposition challenges the Executive over delayed racial equality legislation after record race hate incidents and crimes in 2025/26, and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain the delay. Its Black History Month Opposition Day motion also recognised black communities.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Executive delay to racial equality legislation following record race hate figures Original release: SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid says personal abuse aimed at female public representatives, both online and in person, has to end. She says challenging misogyny must apply even to politicians whose views one opposes, and that such abuse deters people from entering public life.
Disability and equality Original release: McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP says Rebecca Harper, selected to contest Lagan Valley at the 2027 Assembly election, has the energy and determination to help the SDLP win the seat again. Harper, a childcare campaigner and Melted Parents NI co-founder, says she will campaign on affordable childcare and…
Other Issue: SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh
The SDLP announces that Councillor Pete Byrne has been selected by party members to contest Newry and Armagh at the 2027 Assembly election. Byrne pledges to champion fighting for Daisy Hill, local businesses and infrastructure, and Leader Claire Hanna praises his experience.
Other Local government Issue: SDLP selection of Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
SDLP selects Linzi McLaren for South Antrim
SDLP announces Linzi McLaren as its candidate for South Antrim at the May 2027 Assembly election, describing her selection as a homecoming. Antrim Cllr Roisin Lynch and Leader Claire Hanna MP welcome her, with McLaren pledging to focus on violence against women and girls and educational…
Other Issue: SDLP selection of Linzi McLaren for South Antrim 2027 election Original release: SDLP selects Linzi McLaren for South Antrim (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Hunter: Givan’s school trousers U-turn should have come months ago
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA welcomes the Education Minister’s move to permit girls to wear trousers in school uniform, calling the U‑turn overdue, demanding an explanation for the delay and urging consistent rollout across all schools.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister Givan's school trousers guidance for girls Original release: Hunter: Givan’s school trousers U-turn should have come months ago (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Eastwood pays tribute to Brian Tierney after decision not to contest election
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood pays tribute to Councillor Brian Tierney, who has announced he will not stand at the upcoming local government election, praising his nearly 14 years representing Ballyarnett and his time as Mayor.
Other Local government Original release: Eastwood pays tribute to Brian Tierney after decision not to contest election (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
O'Hanlon pays tribute to Eithne Vallely
SDLP Armagh Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon expresses deep sadness at the death of Eithne Vallely, recalling her founding of the Armagh Pipers Club and her decades of teaching young musicians and promoting traditional Irish music.
Other Education Original release: O'Hanlon pays tribute to Eithne Vallely (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Eastwood: Sadness at Galliagh fire death
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood expressed sadness after a man died in a house fire in Galliagh’s Bloomfield Park area, offering thoughts to the victim’s family and praising the emergency services who responded.
Other Issue: Galliagh fatal fire death of man Original release: Eastwood: Sadness at Galliagh fire death (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Hanna: Tech giants must be held accountable for online harm
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes UK Government action to protect young people online but says it cannot replace holding tech companies accountable for harmful content, addictive product design and profit from engagement. She calls for platforms to be made safer by design, with meaningful…
Other Original release: Hanna: Tech giants must be held accountable for online harm (opens in a new tab)
-
McGlone: Reform's attack on Irish shows what a Farage future means for the North
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA condemns a Reform UK move to restrict election publications to English or Welsh, which he says would expose Irish-language campaigners to criminal sanctions. He calls the proposal absurd and offensive and says it shows Reform neither understands…
Disability and equality Issue: Reform UK Westminster amendment restricting election material to English or Welsh Original release: McGlone: Reform's attack on Irish shows what a Farage future means for the North (opens in a new tab)
-
Hanna: We must challenge misogyny and racism wherever we see it
SDLP Leader and MP for Belfast South and Mid Down Claire Hanna condemns misogynistic and racist graffiti in the Sandy Row area, including messages supporting Dominique Pelicot and abuse aimed at Gisèle Pelicot. She urges people not to dismiss it as harmless.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Sandy Row misogynistic and racist graffiti condemned Original release: Hanna: We must challenge misogyny and racism wherever we see it (opens in a new tab)
-
McGlone calls for focus on hate crime legislation
SDLP Opposition Justice Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA calls on the Executive and Justice Minister to focus on hate crime legislation after a racist display atop a Moygashel bonfire. He says he has pushed for social media to be an aggravating factor in the upcoming Sentencing Bill.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist images and signage on Moygashel bonfire Original release: McGlone calls for focus on hate crime legislation (opens in a new tab)
-
McLaughlin calls on Finance Minister to reverse Civil Service withdrawal from Belfast Pride
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin urges the Finance Minister to overturn the Civil Service's decision to pull out of this year's Belfast Pride, arguing the legal basis cited, an English High Court judgment, does not apply in Northern Ireland.
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service withdrawal from Pride march Original release: McLaughlin calls on Finance Minister to reverse Civil Service withdrawal from Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath saddened by fire at former Downpatrick convent
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath expresses sadness at a large blaze at the derelict former convent in Downpatrick, which he says many locals remember well. He pays tribute to firefighters and emergency services for their rapid response.
Other Issue: Downpatrick former convent fire Original release: McGrath saddened by fire at former Downpatrick convent (opens in a new tab)
-
O’Toole: First Ministers' response to racist riots woefully inadequate
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says the First Ministers' response to last week's racist disorder is woefully inadequate, criticising the lack of an Executive Office policy and practical support for affected migrant communities and displaced families.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Belfast racist pogroms and attacks on homes, June 2026 Original release: O’Toole: First Ministers' response to racist riots woefully inadequate (opens in a new tab)