Closest matches to “SDLP has a problem with common sense – Brooks”
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 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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Durkan: Representative police service not about ‘woke quotas’
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says a representative police service is not about 'woke quotas', responding to DUP Leader Gavin Robinson's email to members. He says the PSNI falls far short of reflecting the community and calls for more recruitment from nationalist backgrounds, women and minority groups…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: DUP Leader Gavin Robinson comments on woke diversity quotas Original release: Durkan: Representative police service not about ‘woke quotas’ (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges both London and Stormont ahead of Budget
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the UK government to reform the tax system – taxing unearned wealth, raising the tax‑free childcare allowance and scrapping the two‑child limit – and urges the Northern Ireland Executive to secure greater fiscal powers and a multi‑year budget ahead of the UK 2025
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Government Budget announcement on taxation and public spending Original release: SDLP challenges both London and Stormont ahead of Budget (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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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: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political Petulance
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA calls the DUP's latest stunt petulant and says health, schools and other public services are suffering while the parties remain without a budget deal at Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Original release: O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political Petulance (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP responds to EU/UK deal
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP urges political leaders to approach the European Commission and British Government deal in good faith and restore the Assembly and Executive. He says the SDLP will study the legal text in detail, and warns against attempts to wreck the deal.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK Windsor Framework deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: SDLP responds to EU/UK deal (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP statement following Supreme Court judgment
SDLP Assembly Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA welcomes the Supreme Court's ruling that the Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful and urges EU and UK negotiators to reach a resolution protecting Northern Ireland's access to the Single Market while addressing implementation concerns. He also urges caution…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Supreme Court ruling on Northern Ireland Protocol lawfulness Original release: SDLP statement following Supreme Court judgment (opens in a new tab)
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Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice
People Before Profit councillor Michael Collins says the DUP is trying to sectarianise debate over the Bobby Sands statue in Twinbrook, pointing to unchallenged unauthorised memorials and murals across Belfast. He criticises the SDLP for leaving the Council meeting early and not voting, and says…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Bobby Sands statue motion at Belfast City Council Original release: Bobby Sands Statue: DUP Stirring Up Sectarian Discourse, Enabled by SDLP’s Political Cowardice (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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SDLP MPs to vote against Protocol Bill
SDLP MPs Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna say they will vote against the UK Government's Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in the Commons. Eastwood claims the bill fails local communities, undermines dual market access and is being used for Tory leadership ambitions.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill Second Reading in House of Commons Original release: SDLP MPs to vote against Protocol Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Gerry Adams responds to DUP Leader Gavin Robinson
Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams says he does not take DUP Leader Gavin Robinson's remarks seriously, stresses solidarity with all victims regardless of who was responsible, and accuses the DUP of historical links with armed loyalism, including Ulster Resistance. He urges Robinson to focus on making…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Gavin Robinson remarks on victims and Gerry Adams response Original release: Gerry Adams responds to DUP Leader Gavin Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP will seek to amend Executive formation legislation
SDLP MPs Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna say they will seek to amend legislation extending the Executive formation deadline, and table amendments reforming Assembly Speaker elections to remove the one-party veto. They also call for a legal duty on the Secretary of State to fund a public sector pay…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Secretary of State extends Executive formation deadline to 8 February Original release: SDLP will seek to amend Executive formation legislation (opens in a new tab)
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"SDLP Withdraw from the Opportunity to Help People"
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín accuses the SDLP of refusing to help people with the cost of living, housing and healthcare in the North, citing its decision to give up the Infrastructure Minister post and its call for the Assembly to be recalled.
Other Issue: SDLP relinquishing Infrastructure Minister post in Northern Ireland Executive Original release: "SDLP Withdraw from the Opportunity to Help People" (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP statement on Secretary of State meeting
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna says her delegation told the Secretary of State the Executive and UK Government must show leadership, support migrant communities and put plans in place to prevent a repeat of recent disorder. She also urges rejection of DUP attempts to link a north Belfast incident to the…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Belfast disorder after Monday knife attack Original release: SDLP statement on Secretary of State meeting (opens in a new tab)
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Butler calls for common sense to prevail
UUP Deputy Leader and Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler calls on those organising or joining planned Belfast protests to end the disruption, after the Belfast Trust cancelled community services. He says the failings are political, not the fault of migrants.
Health Community relations and legacy Issue: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust cancels community services due to planned city centre protests Original release: Butler calls for common sense to prevail (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Political failure testing public faith in institutions
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the failure to restore Stormont institutions is testing public faith in politics and risks a winter Assembly election. He blames the DUP's boycott and calls for the institutions to be restored, arguing this would help people facing cost of living…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly recall to elect Executive before 28 October deadline Original release: O’Toole: Political failure testing public faith in institutions (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP seeks urgent health service talks
SDLP health spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says he has asked the Department of Health's senior officials to convene urgent talks between political leaders, health chiefs and civil servants on the emergency care crisis. He argues devolved government must resume with a full-time Health Minister, and…
Health Issue: Emergency care crisis and proposed urgent health talks Original release: SDLP seeks urgent health service talks (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP to support Windsor Framework
SDLP MPs will vote for the statutory instrument on the Windsor Framework package, saying the deal's balance supports a clear path back to devolution despite serious concerns. Colum Eastwood MP says the party remains concerned about the Stormont Brake and will monitor its implementation.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP vote against Windsor Framework Statutory Instrument debate Original release: SDLP to support Windsor Framework (opens in a new tab)
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‘We will take no lectures from Gavin Robinson on showing leadership in our communities’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker urges DUP leader Gavin Robinson to drop what he calls nonsense and work with other parties on cost of living, healthcare and the economy. Baker rejects Robinson's criticism over a Twinbrook school event attended by police, saying Sinn Féin engages with the PSNI and…
Justice and policing Issue: Twinbrook school event with PSNI present criticised by DUP leader Original release: ‘We will take no lectures from Gavin Robinson on showing leadership in our communities’ – Baker (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)
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McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage "deeply cynical and divisive"
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA says the DUP’s motion to scrap Belfast City Council’s bilingual street‑sign policy is a deeply cynical, divisive attempt to use the Irish language as a political football and stir up community tensions.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: McGlone: DUP motion on Irish Language signage "deeply cynical and divisive" (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP stands against Welfare Bill
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP backs two reasoned amendments, signed with Colum Eastwood, to block the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at its Commons Second Reading. She warns the welfare reforms will push hundreds of thousands into poverty, hitting Northern Ireland hardest…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Commons Second Reading Original release: SDLP stands against Welfare Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Opinion poll a wake up call for politicians on immigration
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell says a More in Common poll should be a wake-up call for all NI parties, arguing that dismissing immigration concerns as racist is out of touch, citing 43% blaming politicians for the recent disorder.
Immigration Issue: More in Common opinion poll on immigration and recent disorder Original release: Opinion poll a wake up call for politicians on immigration (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says the controversy surrounding Irish‑language signs at Grand Central Station distracts from the Executive’s failure to deliver public services, urges the signs be installed promptly and condemns identity‑politics‑driven obstruction.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Durkan: Irish signage row distraction from real issues (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition Day to focus on violence against women and girls
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin and SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter call for urgent action on violence against women and girls, citing 25 women killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. Their Opposition Day motions cover new victim-protection laws, online abuse, RSE and gender-based budgeting.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: SDLP Opposition Day motions on violence against women and girls Original release: SDLP Opposition Day to focus on violence against women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: NHS must be safeguarded for future generations
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath marks the NHS's 75th anniversary, saying its future is at risk and calling on the British government to modernise it. He also urges health service reform in the North and cross-border cooperation on health.
Health Original release: McGrath: NHS must be safeguarded for future generations (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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SDLP tells PM that change needed to end Executive dysfunction
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says she pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the SDLP's reform proposals after raising energy costs and Executive dysfunction, and urges both governments to begin serious talks on change at Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: SDLP meeting with Prime Minister on Stormont Executive dysfunction Original release: SDLP tells PM that change needed to end Executive dysfunction (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)