Our ambition for opportunity for all and our social democratic values are the glue that binds The SDLP

Tomorrow the SDLP will bring forward an Opposition Day motion on Tackling Paramilitarism. This is a chance for every party to state their unequivocal view that these groups must disband. The Executive must do everything they can to force them to leave the stage for good.

We were promised a peaceful and wholly democratic future. The never ending transition for paramilitaries has to come to an end. Today at Stormont we challenge every party to support our motion urging these groups to disband. Matthew O'Toole

"He’s doing it for the love of the club and the love of the city." The League of Ireland is #PoweredByPeople like Lawrence at Derry City FC 🍬 #LOI | SSE Airtricity

Richard Harris (died #OTD in 2002) tells a story about working on a London theatre productions of Macbeth with an anti-Irish leading actor.

I spoke to the Guardian about the lack of ambition in Stormont’s stale politics, the continuing legacy of Brexit, and the SDLP’s work on a centre left, anti sectarian new Ireland theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/n…

An Executive Office ‘report’ that this week saw MLAs vote to delay a review of the veto for collapsing the devolved institutions is a mere 137 words in length Northern Ireland Assembly NI Executive irishnews.com/news/politics/…

26 yrs ago Nobel laureate John Hume said ‘ the basis of peace and stability, in any society, has to be the fullest respect for the human rights of all its people.’ The John and Pat Hume Foundation The Nobel Prize UN Human Rights

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Today we remember John Hume on what would have been his 88th birthday. It is vital to remember, today of all days, that difference is of the essence of humanity, and therefore respect for difference is the first and deepest principle of real peace.

Powerful. This should and must go down as one of the most powerful interventions of the next four years. Trumps lack of class & blinding & deafening arrogance are there for all to see in this clip.

As an Irish political party we can’t in good conscience go to Washington for St Patrick’s Day this year. Ireland has a proud history of solidarity with Palestine. The values of the SDLP are simply not compatible with what we’re seeing and hearing from Donald Trump on Gaza.

We finished this evening’s programme on the Omagh Bombing Inquiry hearings on commemorative and personal statements, with images and reflections of those who were lost, by those who knew them best.

Serious proposals on investment in public transport, dealing with the crisis in health, investing in Northlands addiction treatment centre and unlocking the potential economic growth through good jobs in Derry & the North West. That’s what we’re about

SDLP have a heritage of courage & meaningful change on policing, and it was one of the big successes after conflict. In today’s Irish News I set out how we need to get that new beginning back on track & to support those who stepped up to serve the community through policing

27 years after #GFA let’s recall the words of John Hume ‘This process is not about the victory or defeat of nationalism or unionism. It is about something much greater. Today….we can take a collective breath and begin to blow away the cobwebs of the past.’ #BelfastAgreement

Pope Francis spoke up for human rights, social justice and basic dignity for everyone on the planet - at a time when those values have been under the gravest threat. A legacy of service, and not just to Catholics. May he rest in peace.

Nail on the head. Time to call full time on the never ending old firm game that is NI politics.

It’s become impossible to find words for what’s happening in Gaza. Starvation. Bombardment. Total inaction. SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has written to the PM this week demanding answers. If this isn’t genocide, what is? People are feeling powerless. Political leaders must act.

The SDLP wants to build an Ireland that is welcoming to all who choose to call this place home. The DUP, however, is plumbing new depths by pushing divisive politics reminiscent of Enoch Powell. We were proud to stand today against the DUP's right-wing, populist nonsense.