Closest matches to “Eastwood comments underscore leadership problem”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include DUP · Back to the release
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SDLP Statement following meeting with Prime Minister
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says the Prime Minister's call for power-sharing to resume cannot be trusted given his conduct, and urges the DUP to restore Stormont so government can address the cost-of-living crisis and health waiting lists.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: SDLP Leader meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Hillsborough Original release: SDLP Statement following meeting with Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: We all have responsibility to break politics of hate
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the recall of the Assembly should send a united message after racially motivated violence in Belfast, and calls for social media regulation, swift police action, house building and public service investment to tackle the hate.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Belfast racially motivated criminal damage to businesses, Assembly recall call Original release: Eastwood: We all have responsibility to break politics of hate (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Dissidents must end futile campaign
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood calls on dissident republicans to end their violent campaign, describing a car bomb stopped by police in Monaghan, reportedly heading for Derry, as deeply concerning and futile. He commends the officers involved.
Justice and policing Issue: Republic of Ireland police interception of bomb allegedly destined for Northern Ireland Original release: Eastwood: Dissidents must end futile campaign (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 8 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Election will only cause further harm to North
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP says an Assembly election would waste millions without solving issues such as heating costs, health waiting lists and housing, after meeting the Northern Ireland Secretary in London. He blames the DUP's blocking of the institutions and calls for the Irish government's…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Heaton-Harris threat of December Stormont election Original release: Eastwood: Election will only cause further harm to North (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Disrupt and dismantle paramilitaries
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP responds to the raising of the terrorism threat level in the North due to rising dissident republican activity, saying such groups have been defeated politically and must disband. He calls for public support for PSNI efforts to disrupt and dismantle paramilitary groups.
Justice and policing Issue: Raised national threat level following attempted murder of police officer John Caldwell Original release: Eastwood: Disrupt and dismantle paramilitaries (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader calls for parties to prioritise public sector pay crisis
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges Stormont parties able to form an Executive to treat the public sector pay dispute as a priority, ahead of this week's Northern Ireland Civil Service strike. He says the current pay award is derisory and calls on the British Government to address it.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland Civil Service strike action over public sector pay Original release: SDLP Leader calls for parties to prioritise public sector pay crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood offers support following disorder
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood says he visited Derry's migrant community, including the North West Migrants Forum, to offer support after disorder across the North, which he attributes to racism and hatred. He says migrants belong in Derry and that the city will not tolerate racism.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Disorder across the North against migrant communities, June 2026 Original release: Eastwood offers support following disorder (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader’s statement ahead of roundtable talks
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls for substantive dialogue at Monday's Hillsborough talks with the British Government, setting three priorities: restoring the Executive, a plan to rescue public services, and funding for public sector pay settlements.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Political roundtable meeting on restoring the Executive Original release: SDLP Leader’s statement ahead of roundtable talks (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposes Tory ‘Anti Trade Union’ Bill
SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood opposes the British Government's Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which would let employers in critical public services sack and sue striking staff. He says nurses are using food banks and calls for essential workers to be paid properly.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill in the House of Commons Original release: SDLP Opposes Tory ‘Anti Trade Union’ Bill (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader’s New Year Message
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls on political leaders to show more generosity and common endeavour in 2023, and urges the immediate resumption of devolution to address families' winter struggles with heating, food and jobs.
Constitutional affairs Original release: SDLP Leader’s New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges courage to reach agreement
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges political leaders to find courage and strike a deal to restore Stormont in the coming days, as Commons debate on the Executive Formation Bill nears its end. He says public patience is exhausted.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill Commons debate Original release: Eastwood urges courage to reach agreement (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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Eastwood: DUP must support Speaker to allow cost of living help
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood urges the DUP to back Patsy McGlone as Speaker so the Assembly can pass emergency legislation releasing over £300m held in Stormont accounts for cost-of-living support. He says the DUP's boycott is blocking help over the £400 energy bill discount.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: DUP blocking of Assembly Speaker election May 2022 Original release: Eastwood: DUP must support Speaker to allow cost of living help (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Stealth shutdown of Radio Foyle cannot be allowed to proceed
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the BBC’s covert plan to shut down Radio Foyle must be stopped, urging the corporation to reverse the proposed removal of its morning show and news bulletins and protect the station’s future for the north‑west community.
Economy and employment Issue: BBC Radio Foyle shutdown plans Original release: Eastwood: Stealth shutdown of Radio Foyle cannot be allowed to proceed (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Focus must be on restoring Stormont institutions
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls for everyone to focus on restoring the Stormont institutions and for the DUP to end its boycott and return, rather than pursuing an election, as the Secretary of State extends the deadline for forming an Executive. He also welcomes the proposed cut to MLAs' pay.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State legislation extending Executive formation period and cutting MLA pay Original release: Eastwood: Focus must be on restoring Stormont institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood condemns attack on police
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood condemns a reported stabbing attack on police officers in Derry, saying it was vicious, left one officer hospitalised and urging ministers to take assaults on emergency staff seriously.
Justice and policing Issue: Stabbing of two police officers in Derry Original release: Eastwood condemns attack on police (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Explosive device could have had tragic consequences
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says a bomb placed in a hijacked car outside a Waterside police station could have caused tragedy, condemns forcing a delivery driver to transport it and urges the attackers to cease their assaults on the community.
Justice and policing Issue: Derry Waterside delivery driver hijacking and police station incident Original release: Eastwood: Explosive device could have had tragic consequences (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes PM-BBC meeting over Radio Foyle cuts
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP says pressure on the BBC must continue over planned cuts to Radio Foyle, after confirmation that the Prime Minister met the BBC Director General and Chair and discussed the service. He invites Director General Tim Davie to Derry and calls the cut a breach of the BBC…
Other Issue: Radio Foyle cuts and Prime Minister's meeting with BBC leadership Original release: Eastwood welcomes PM-BBC meeting over Radio Foyle cuts (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA demands a coordinated Executive response to the recent riots, including more PSNI resources, updated hate crime laws and timelines for refugee integration and racial equality strategies. The party also calls for clarity on any loyalist paramilitary…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Ballymena and Larne race riots and Executive response Original release: SDLP opposition to demand action and accountability after race riots (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood urges leaders to back joint authority in absence of Stormont institutions
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges Stormont party leaders to back Joint Authority from the British and Irish governments if Assembly and Executive institutions are not formed in the coming months, ruling out direct rule from Westminster.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Eastwood urges leaders to back joint authority in absence of Stormont institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood condemns chilling attack on police officer
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP condemns a violent assault on a police officer in Omagh, describing it as a chilling act against someone serving his community. He says the attackers are fighting the people of Ireland who chose peace, not the PSNI or British Government, and says he will raise the…
Justice and policing Issue: Omagh shooting of police officer attempted murder Original release: Eastwood condemns chilling attack on police officer (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Derry disorder threatens young people’s future
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood condemns a second night of disorder around Nailor's Row in Derry, saying it endangered residents and distressed elderly people in Alexander House. He urges parents to talk with children about the violence and calls for investment in community outreach projects.
Justice and policing Issue: Nailor's Row Derry disorder second night June 2025 Original release: Eastwood: Derry disorder threatens young people’s future (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Roundtable talks must address restoration proposals
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says roundtable talks with the British Government in Belfast must address Assembly reform and restoration, and calls on other parties to back the SDLP's proposal to change how an Assembly Speaker is elected to end the deadlock.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Roundtable talks between parties and British Government in Belfast Original release: Eastwood: Roundtable talks must address restoration proposals (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Time to drop election and focus on restoring institutions
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the Secretary of State should abandon the plan for an early Assembly election and instead focus on restoring Stormont, urging renewed UK‑EU talks on the Protocol and warning the DUP’s boycott harms public confidence.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Heaton-Harris threat of December Stormont election Original release: Eastwood: Time to drop election and focus on restoring institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood disappointed after Finucane addresses IRA commemoration
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood says she is disappointed that Sinn Féin MP John Finucane spoke at an event in Mullaghbawn advertised as commemorating 'South Armagh volunteers', arguing that commemorating the IRA risks glorifying terrorism and hurting victims.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Sinn Fein South Armagh Volunteers Commemoration event Original release: Eastwood disappointed after Finucane addresses IRA commemoration (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: BBC must listen to public on Radio Foyle
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges the BBC to heed public views on Radio Foyle's future after it scaled back planned cuts, though he is disappointed the breakfast show is being reduced to half an hour. He pledges to keep lobbying for the station's services and jobs.
Other Issue: BBC Radio Foyle scaled-back cuts and breakfast show reduction Original release: Eastwood: BBC must listen to public on Radio Foyle (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP to back Assembly recall
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: SDLP to back Assembly recall (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood rejects Tory 'Anti-Boycott' Bill
SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood says he voted against the Economic Activity and Public Bodies Bill at Westminster and calls for it to be dropped, arguing it would curb councils' ability to take ethical procurement and investment stances, including Derry's boycott of Israeli goods.
Local government International affairs Issue: Economic Activity of Public Bodies Overseas Bill notification to Derry and Strabane Council Original release: Eastwood rejects Tory 'Anti-Boycott' Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Hijacking attack on community
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP condemns a Sunday night hijacking in Derry in which a delivery driver was forced at gunpoint to drive to a Waterside police station, calling it an attack on the whole community and urging police to hold those responsible to account.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Derry Waterside delivery driver hijacking and police station incident Original release: Eastwood: Hijacking attack on community (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Stormont needed to provide cost of living support
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP calls on the DUP to return to Stormont so cost of living support can reach families, citing the paused Assembly election and delays to energy and heating oil payments.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: British Secretary of State U-turn on Northern Ireland Assembly election timing Original release: Eastwood: Stormont needed to provide cost of living support (opens in a new tab)