The race is on for SDLP Leadership
Alasdair McDonnell formally entered the race to succeed Mark Durkan today at an event with party members in Belfast. He is up against Margaret Ritchie.
Both sides are claiming strong support from within the Assembly team. McDonnell was joined by Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone at his event this morning. Margaret announced her intention to stand flanked by several party MLAs just over a week ago.
The final say goes to delegates at party conference in February. All public representatives have a vote as do several hundred branch delegates. This is one contest which will not be won on the media but in member’s front rooms and on the phones. I’d say both are doing a lot of calling these days. The issues are also clear. Question is who will be best able to meet them?
Full text of Alasdair’s remarks below the fold.Address by SDLP Deputy Leader Alasdair McDonnell MP
27 October 2009
Friends, welcome to the Old Museum Arts Centre, or the Metropolitan Arts Centre as it is now called. And thank you for coming, from all over the north and all over Ireland.
Some of you will wonder why I have brought you to this particular place, but I suspect more of you will know that it was from a building in this street that the SDLP was founded almost 40 years ago.
This building has been brilliantly refurbished and through the work of an excellent, hard working leadership team has been reborn as a centre of excellence in the arts and a great institution in this city. I’ve brought you here because I want to announce what I hope will be the beginning of the rebirth of another great institution.
I want to announce my decision to seek the support of colleagues all over the north of Ireland to give me the chance to serve as the next leader of the SDLP.
As you know, I haven’t rushed into this decision. I know the effort that leading the party takes and I know how important it is that the SDLP gets the right leader at this critical time in its history and in the history of the North.
I’ve had to ask myself whether I’m that person. Have I the energy and the ideas to lead a renewal?
I’ve had to speak to the people who actually make this party what it is – grass roots members – and ask them whether they agreed with my analysis of where we are and where we need to get to. I’ve asked them are they ready for real change in the SDLP?
I’ve had to speak to my family, to my beautiful wife Olivia. Like everything else that I do, I know I couldn’t do it without her and the kids. I’ve asked them if they will stand beside me and support me in the difficult work ahead.
I’ve asked and I’ve been humbled by the answer – Yes, Yes, Yes.
Now I have some questions for the wider party; questions which all of you as members or supporters will have to face over the coming weeks and up to party conference in February as you decide who should serve as your leader.
Are you prepared to accept a second best position for the SDLP?
Are you content with the drift which has beset the party since the Good Friday Agreement?
Are you satisfied that our voters are not having their voice heard they way they used to?
Are you content to stand idly by, while the DUP / Sinn Fein axis ignores and alienates the hard working families who aspire to the very best for their children and make no apology for it?
I’m not.
I’m not, and if you feel the same way, then come with me. If you want to see the SDLP restored to its former position as the leading nationalist party in the north and as the driver of positive political change throughout Ireland, then come with me. If you want to wear your membership of our party with pride, come with me.
If you are ambitious for the party; if you are ambitious for this great party and you want to achieve the political aspirations that first motivated you to join the SDLP, then come with me.
How can we make this happen? Colleagues and friends, I have some news for you and you might not like to hear it.
If you think that ‘business as usual’ is the way forward for the SDLP, I’m not the candidate for you. And if you think the job we face in rebuilding the party is all about exciting plans for renewal, then I am not the candidate for you. . . There is no quick fix alliances or deals. And our success is certainly not going to be achieved by spending time in convoluted intellectual argument. The simple fact is that our success will be built on the much more mundane process of rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. Reconnecting with people, fighting their corner, putting in the hours and the effort, working in partnership with our communities to deliver real change. That is what will restore and renew the SDLP.
We will reconnect with our own voters, and with those who have drifted from the party in recent times, as well as inspiring a new generation. The SDLP once stood as the centrepoint of local communities right across the north. In GAA halls and community centres, on factory floors and in classrooms, the local SDLP member was someone who people knew shared their values and who people turned to for support. And we will be again. By taking strength from our proud record we can build a new future. We can set new goals.
My goal is that by 2016 – when we reflect on the promise of our nation and when once again we will be scheduled to go the people and ask for their votes – we will be back where the SDLP belongs, as the party which inspires the greater number of voters to say “yes”. “Yes” to the party which puts people first, to the party which truly values progress and prosperity. “Yes” to the party which believes, with every fibre, in the power of that historic pledge to treat all the children of the nation equally.
In 2005 the experts and the intellectuals said the SDLP was finished. The Westminster election that year was to be the final nail in the coffin. But in south Belfast we didn’t read the script. We showed what could be done with self belief and hard work. By steadily growing our share of the vote, election after election and by really representing the most ethnically and culturally diverse constituency in Ireland, we bucked the trend. Working hand in hand, Carmel Hanna and I have shown that a very simple political formula can work: put good people before the electorate, with sound and fair policies; work hard for their votes and the electorate will respond. That’s the model, that’s the plan I will work to apply right across the north.
SO, now we have the first ever election campaign for leader of the SDLP. I expect it to be an open, positive and constructive debate. That is certainly how I will be approaching it and I know that Margaret feels the same way. I see this campaign and debate as a key element of the renewal of the Party.
39 years ago, a group of men and women left this building, organised themselves, worked hard, involved their communities and did nothing less than change utterly Irish politics.
I wasn’t in that initial group, I came to the party a few years after that historic meeting. But I’m here today with all of you. I want us, a new generation to leave here with that same sense of purpose, that same ambition. Ambition for this party, ambition for our communities and ambition for our country.
The SDLP can lead again. I ask you to allow me to help make that happen.
Interesting debate about SDLP Leadership
As a young person I am not really convinced that Alasdair McDonnell will win the youth vote with these comments on Radio Ulster last night
‘Young people don’t want politics, they want a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s only when they get married and get a mortgage that they become interested in politics’.
Jim
Jim
I think McDonnell was spot on in relation to young people. I can see how you may feel if you are an activist. However, what I interpreted was that he was speaking generally, not about you or your friends who may be more involved. It is true that in NI young people generally tend to be more radical in their politics, but never as active as, say, young people from the US or even the uk or ireland. They are most often seen at protests, but not as often or as numerous in other activities.
Perhaps you shouldn’t judge him too quickly. My experience within the younger end of the population is that McDonnell is generally right(qualified – generally speaking of course). I assume that he can explain this during the hustings to the ones that count.
The depressing thing about this thread is that there is plenty of argument but it is all SDLP types sticking the boot into each other on personality. There isn’t any great conflict of ideas. I odn’t think it matters who wins. On that evidence, the SDLP will remian a bunch of losers.
Kensei
There isn’t any great conflict of ideas
Sounds similar to many parties in Northern Irelnad then, would you not agree? Or is it only Gerry’s ideas that people are allowed to hear?
Jim
I am 24 yo, I would say from my own experience McD was spot on with his comment. Though this is my own experience and I accept you may know more young people than me interested in Politics
Those are disgraceful comments McDonnell made about young people. There aren’t too many of the large Chinese community in South Belfast active in the SDLP. If he’d said “Chinese people don’t want politics, they want a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s only when they get married and get a mortgage that they become interested in politics” he’d be branded a racist, so why is it ok for him to attack a whole separate section of society i.e. young people?
If he wants to build for the future, he might want to work at getting those who are around in the future to support the SDLP instead of attacking them. No wonder the SDLP has lost the support of young people, and no wonder many young people are turned off politics if this is what they’d have to put up with if they got involved.
McDonnell is a liability.
Peter
There isn’t any great conflict of ideas
Sounds similar to many parties in Northern Irelnad then, would you not agree? Or is it only Gerry’s ideas that people are allowed to hear?
I suspect if there was a leadership election in SF tomorrow there would be quite a lot of debate on the future – South focused, North focused, go more right, return left etc. There are various little debate bubbling under taht occasionally pop up here. I suspect there would be debate son direction within the DUP. even the moribyund UUP can manage a dissenting letter on their link up.
That this thread is a bitching contest is a huge indictment fo the SDLP.
must agree, the thread is a bit flaky.
For those in each camp, let’s hear what you’ve got to say about policies and not about the beauty contest.
Kensei
What are the chances of a leadersdhip debate in sinn fein in the near future or who would dare encourage one without the bearded one’s consent? And if they did, how long would they last? I do agree however that the bitching on this thread is a poor reflection on the state of the debate. There is a problem in this country however that we are more interested in the politics of green and orange to look at real issues. The next election will turn into the same old crap of sectarian headcounts. If this is the case, what open debates can any party have on real issues and how would these real issues influence a future vote in assembly or westminster elections? The sad fact is, bitching plays a large part because politics is decided more by presentation than substance.
Sean
Do you think you may be overreacting slightly, he is not very far off the mark. Why introduce this crazy notion that equates racism with his statements? You question him over silly remarks? Try reading your own statements first.
To Peter: discrimination is discrimination. Labelling an entire section of society negatively, whether based on age, race, gender, etc is plain wrong and prejudiced.
Peter
What are the chances of a leadersdhip debate in sinn fein in the near future or who would dare encourage one without the bearded one’s consent?
Not that I have anythign to do with SF but ? Talk of a leadership election and loss of authority is a crisis n a party. I know, I know the SDLP are used to it.
The sad fact is, bitching plays a large part because politics is decided more by presentation than substance.
Nope. Politics is an ideas game in the final analysis. Presentation and perception matter, but you need ideas to change them. You can’t polish a turd. The SDLP has repeatedly trapped itself int he idea that it’s just presentation. It isn’t. How many times do you need clobbered to grasp it? If the SDLP want to continue playing the old game they are completely screwed.
Ok. Heres a challenge to all the commenters.
A few of you seem to know McDonnell’s mind – what is his big idea?
If you dont want to post it as a comment on this thread send me 400 words and make them a post to debate.
Conall
Conall,
I think that no matter how good McDonnell’s points may be that the current leadership within the SDLP have already made up their minds that they will back Margaret Ritchie no matter what – a kind of ‘anything but Alisdair’ campaign.
I think to have Ritchie would be disastrous for the SDLP. She does not have the gfravitas to be leader and most certainly needs to improve upon PR skils in an increasingly PR world.
I am not saying for a minute that McDonnell has the best presentational skills and indeed his ‘gruffness’ and ‘to the point’ communicative skills could be his fatal flaw, but from what I hear in the party he has at least tried to make a connection with members of his party.
Speaking of big ideas, a fortnight has now passed since Margaret Ricthie promised that she had an ‘exciting plan’. It must be so exciting that she cant bear to hand it over to the membership, because no one has seen it yet.
Maybe there is no magic ‘big idea’ – didn’t McDonnel declare that it would all be about hard work and putting in the hours?
Borden
I think there is a huge appetite for debate about renewal in policy and personality terms within the SDLP. I dont agree that people have closed minds in fact I think they are looking for a lot more than just a personality contest. But to have such a debate both candidates will need to produce ideas. Neither has done so to date although it is early days.
When they I do I’ll make sure we have the chance to debate them here too.
One last point. Its not ther current leadership (which includes both Alasdair and Margaret) that will decide, its the membership!
Conall
Very disappointing comments from McDonnell re: young people. Not exactly the best way to get the youth vote behind him.
This is a funny thread. Mc Donnell was spot on about politics and young people. Not one of my friends were interested in politics when I was running around.. I coerced them into helping and they were few. In fairness Mc Donnell- to most people’s surprise he attracts loads of people to his cause and to work for him.. he makes it fun..and is infectious..thats his charm….the down side is he blows hot and cold..he is a maverick too. but the point is that he actually is a personality in a fairly drab world of politics.. reg peter david and gerry hardly set the world alight. Conall, if you know the mind of any of the candidates let me know. I do know the minds of some supporters and its pretty petty and narrow turf
Tom
I know my own mind. As for the two candidates, ill let them speak for themselves.
With regards to members minds I do hope people keep enough of an open mind to allow a big debate.
The party will be all the better for it.
Conall
Tonight SDLP Youth voted to endorse the candidacy of Margaret Ritchie
Conall, your mind has been clear for quite a while. You support is your succession to Carmel. An open secret as you have admitted. Thats fine. As I have said before the problem for the SDLP when it asks what, where and when it talks to itself. As for the SDLP Youth… I would be more impressed if after thirty years it was more of a mass movement … we all know its not. I am not opposed to Margaret Ritchie .. on the contrary .. a friend and one of her biggest supporters when she needed it or needs it..but this is not the time..and others are driving their own agenda..that does not mean she may not win.. but I am very conscious of the agenda of those backing her..I have watched it for over 25 years..I am a voter not a member now.. so my view is from the sidelines.. unfortunately those on the inside now specialise in proving themselves wrong. I will still be backing Margaret when some of those pretending genuine support are drawing their knives for her back the day after her election.. thankfully some of them will also have found their P45′s from the electorate by the end of 2011. The electorate is harsh and unfair but sometimes a good judge of character too.
SDLPYouth Member,
From what I hear, it wasn’t so much an endorsement of Maggie Ritchie, but rather a slagging match directed at McDonnell and anyone ever connected to him. Some very nasty things were said
What’s Maggie’s big plan? Get rid of everyone ever linked to the Big Doc’?
I am not surprised SDLP Youth supported Ritchie. With people there like Barry Magee it was always going to be an obvious choice.
Boris
You were misinformed. While people were very angry about Alasdair’s comments regarding young people Margaret was endorsed because of her strength on the Executive, her commitment to issues important to the Youth group and her willingness to take input from the young members of the party.
Less grey/white hair in the top ranks of the SDLP? Good.
(And please let not the nastier among us have a private word with Margaret’s hairdresser.)
SDLPYouth Member
I don’t think so mate, It’d be hard for some of them SDLP Youth folk to say anything remotely nice about Alasdair. Their motivations aren’t to see Maggie elected, its just to wipe the Big Doc’s eye.
Boris
Fair enough. I was there but I’m sure you know more about it than me.
Oh, tetchy!
The SDLP is world renowned for its leaks! Tonight was no difference!
Most of us will support whoever is elected as leader – I hope all those members bickering on Slugger can say the same.
It is fair to say McDonnell has not really enjoyed comfortable relations with the youth group in some time.
His instinct for independent organisation has taught him the hard (and successful) lesson that Hume’s nobel peace prize owes no-one a living in the SDLP.
Therefore come election time when the youth groups are packed up in mini-buses to canvass in constituencies where MLAs have shamefully neglected party organisation – (take a bow Childrens’ Commissioner!!!) McDonnell neither expects or recieves much support from the youth group.
However for whatever reason to rush and nail their colours to the mast i would have thought a functional group of the party had at least a nominal duty to wait until nominations closed to view the complete field? Perhaps they might even have mustered a candidate themselves to inject a fresh dimension into proceedings and actually have their voice heard?
Good job this vote is taken at branch delegate level and the youth’s vote is like their motions on boycotting coca-cola and congratulating Obama on his election – i.e. of no consequence.
So the ‘SDLP youth’ endorsed Margaret? I’m definitely opting for McD then. They are a bunch of kids who think its cool to be radical and left wing. God bless them, they’ll grow up soon enough.
Why did they feel the need to rush into endorsing anyone this early in the contest?
Nominations haven’t even opened, never mind closed! Did they not think to invite the candidates to meet with them??
Reiker –
“What you heard today was an announcement not a manifesto. Ritchie had an exciting plan – yea – we are all still waiting for it.”
So Margaret has a plan but didn’t outline it in her announcement and that’s why she shouldn’t be leader.
Alastair has a plan but didn’t outline it in his announcement – that’s why he should be leader (something about it not being a manifesto?)
I’ll be honest. You’ve lost me there..
Both candidates have fairly strong records but on performance I think Margaret tips Alastair. Taking in contextual factors (age, gender, location) Margaret is in a much better position. Her highly principled stance against funding the UDA earned her a huge amount of respect internally (yes I do know the overall outcome of that story). Alastair’s key asset is his organisational capacity, about the strongest in the party, but SDLP South Down isn’t exactly dead on its feet either.
As current Deputy Leader of the SDLP’s observation that a ‘business as usual attitude’ cannot continue is reminiscent of Jim Nicholson’s ‘Vote for Change’ in the last EU elections. If there are so many big ideas (few of which came through on Evening Extra) why hasn’t he implemented them to date?
Separately to this, the establishment of a functioning and secure Assembly at Stormont has shifted focus for nationalists and as budding leader Alasdair should recognise this. If he is successful in his bid for leader, while other parties kick the dirty habit of double jobbing, Alasdair would end up leading the party from Westminster while the local Assembly (an aim put forward by the SDLP as far back as Sunningdale) would act as the engine for the nationalist cause. Even if Alasdair did somehow “put the SDLP behind the steering wheel”, he’d only be watching from the pit stops between Westminster business. He has indicated that he will keep both jobs as he doesn’t think there is anyone else in South Belfast SDLP who could take over as MLA. Hardly an endorsement of his constituency team.
Reiker, you will however be pleased to know that you get my vote for the most ridiculous example of runaway rhetoric for “Leaders need respect, not fancy plans and ideas.”
Ohhh you have to watch those fancy plans and ideas. They’ll ruin you every time. Better just to wing it eh?
Regarding the youth endorsement, it’s easy to dismiss the youth vote by implying that would always be the case – but don’t you have to ask why the generation coming up (who you’d imagine would have a vested interest in keeping the whole show on the road) overwhelmingly support one candidate over another? Interesting to note that all those under 30 at Alastair’s launch either were or are on his payroll. You can dismiss SDLP Youth as idealists, but is there anything so wrong with young ones endorsing a candidate with politics that inspires them, rather than just the person who promises them a job or a seat?
[i]Nominations haven’t even opened, never mind closed! Did they not think to invite the candidates to meet with them??[/i]
Well, clearly not. It says more about McDonnell than it does about the youth group that they would give up their apparently hedonistic and politically apathetic lifestyles to come to a firm decision.
..the youth comments are funny..are any prominent members of SDLP youth working for MLAs or related to one or have worked at HQ? they are taking the piss.. most people know them…
My insider sources tell me that the so-called youth group didn’t even invite the youth who they know are obvious supporters of McD. I gather he has a number of family members who were excluded, along with anyone else remotely anti Ritchie.
The SDLP youth have shown more energy last night trying to piss on McDonnell’s parade re his declaration the previous day that he intends to run. I saw no anti-Ritchie cabals working to upset her announcement.
The dirty tricks have started in earnest and with the so-called committee all linked to Attwood, we all know from which direction the nastiness is coming – one just has to listen to the Matthew McDermott, a silly boy with little between the ears.
However, if the Youth Group put as much energy into working on the ground instead of posturing perhaps the SDLP wouldn’t be in as bad a state as it is now. Do they not even know that they cannot nominate? Sources within the SDLP tell me that they may have one or two on their Executive, but they have no other influence except to try to protest. They weren’t there last night to support Ritchie, but rather to protest against McDonnell.
The reason is obvious. I gather he has tried to get them to work – they can’t and they don’t (generally speaking of course).
Overall, this shows that there is a very nasty split appearing within the SDLP and the Youth Group are being manipulated to widen it. I would have thought that it would have been proper to wait until they know who the runners are, then what they have to say for themselves and what promises and commitments they can give to younger people. The reason they didn’t is obvious. It is as Borden commented in an earlier thread, Anybody but Alasdair. That’s why they ran so quickly to get this on TV.
If this is the future of the SDLP then heaven help their members. SF must be wringing their hands with glee at the simpletons running the SDLP youth campaigns. They are insipid, ineffective and INACTIVE. They cannot even class themselves as a ginger group.
There is no strategic thinking from them, only silly juvenile posturing for the cameras.
Does anyone know if either McDonnell or Ritchie differ in anyway on policies relating to the Irish language?
Who is O Brollachàin supporting?
Reiker,
Firstly, dial down the bitchiness and remember the rule about playing the ball and not the man (or silly boy as you would have it).
At least McDonnell’s comments on Youth can be explained by the heat of an interview and, possibly, by the lazy generalisation of the type lots of us are sometimes guilty of. You however, are consistently arguing that the young people in the SDLP can’t possibly know their own minds are are being manipulated by the older boys. Classy. Although not everyone meets your campaign’s ‘marriage and mortgage’ criteria, several of the young members have been around long enough to have formed an opinion. This view chimes well with the line Alastair’s campaign are putting about implying that Margaret’s heart isn’t in it and that she is being manipulated by said shadowy forces. So that’s the women and the children views explained.
The argument that nominations haven’t closed is a red herring. SDLP branches across the North are nominating for leadership (at least a dozen nominations have been made for one candidate or other), that is how the process works – SDLP youth are perfectly entitled to do the same. The range of potential candidates isn’t huge – perhaps the group decided that even if every eligible candidate put themselves forward, their preference would still be for Margaret. Perhaps the day to day performance and engagement with Youth is enough of a husting to influence opinion.
I’m sorry if you feel that Alastair’s relatives didn’t get properly invited, but I understand that the notice went out in the usual manner. I also understand that the group haven’t formally mandated their delegates either, so there is plenty of time for Alastair to request a meeting and make his case. He can of course invite anyone he wants to that meeting. Curious to know who all these pro-McDonnell youth are, as hordes of them weren’t at his announcement launch, despite the fact that every member of the party was invited and many of them received begging phone calls to attend.
Ritchie is a strong candidate and this is evidenced by the hard working MLA’s she had flanking her. if she puts the same effort and hard work into the leadership as she does in her role as Minister the SDLP will come out strong.
The Anti-McDonnell campaign try to get the spin in, but it just ain’t working.
Any sensible person can see that Maggie Ritchie is a fabulous Minister, but can we really see her as leader? with the same back-room team of advisors who have orchastrated the Durkan malaise?
SDLP Youths decision last nite was them pinning their colours to the mast of a ship that hasn’t even set sail yet.
If I were a Unionist or a Provo, the last person I’d want as the leader of the Stoops is the Big Doc’ He beat two very strong Unionists in South Belfast and he wasn’t afraid to take on the Maskey Cabal over the murder of Robert McCartney. The Anti-McDonnell camp aren’t afraid of trying to make their candidate look like the poor defenceless minister who’s been bullied by everyone and had no-one’s support
[i]My insider sources tell me that the so-called youth group didn’t even invite the youth who they know are obvious supporters of McD. I gather he has a number of family members who were excluded, along with anyone else remotely anti Ritchie.[/i]
Weak. I am not even in the country at the moment and I received an invitation to the meeting. Get some new sources.
Stoopid is Stupid
My comment about Ritchie’s exciting plan was more about the comedy of it rather than the substance, although I and the rest of us are still waiting for the substance. McDonnell’s was an announcement that he was going to run. He did at least introduce some ideas of what his campaign will be about. Give him time for goodness sake to make his elaborations. Ritchies has had 2 weeks and your complaining because McD hasn’t done it in two days. Your bias is obvious.
Also, in relation to the youth group, how can they endorse anyone without knowing the runners and riders, without knowing what plans those running have, without having an opportunity to question them. The fact that they jumped so quickly is an indictment of them and ensures that opinions of them are right. In inglorious bunch of party-going radicals without any political or sensible ideas. Perhaps this is why the SDLP has so few young members.
You said “You can dismiss SDLP Youth as idealists, but is there anything so wrong with young ones endorsing a candidate with politics that inspires them, rather than just the person who promises them a job or a seat?”. Nothing wrong with that, but my point is that it is all too early, and if they were idealists, they would need to know what ideal they are going to follow, not blindly tuck in behind a slipping currency. Young people like to have role models, the SDLP youth don’t have any positive role models or do interesting things.
First of all, the notice went out to all members in the usual manner via the SDLPY database and it was made perfectly clear that all members eligable by age to attend should be there.
Those not on the database would most likely be members that haven’t been around the youth group over the last four or five years and therefore not in receipt of correspondance. That said, if they knew about the meeting and wanted to go, they should have.
Reiker, to suggest that this is a campaign being run by any one other than Margaret would be laughable if it wasn’t drawn from the snide sexism espoused by the likes of people who used the phrase “lost the run of herself”.
I’ll ignore the comment about myself, it was inevitable that there would be sour grapes from the campaign not endorsed and as Chair of the youth group it was also inevitable that I would take the abuse for that. But no need to get personal, play the ball not the man.
I should also say that as chair I was the most impartial person in the room, the meeting didn’t get nasty or become an Alasdair bashing gathering. Both candidates have great merits but the group felt that Margaret is the right person for her courage, dedication and committment to young people. That’s fair enough.
Its right and proper that the youth group are involved in this process and contribute positively and they have decided to do that by backing and campaigning for Margaret.
Matthew
Good for you to stand up and take the credit for what was a bit of a silly event. The good news is that more people will know about you, the bad news is that you are seen to be a bit too rash.
The evening should have been about organising yourselves, not orchestrating an endorsement, which was really a political point-scoring exercise to piss on McDonnell’s parade. Typical irrational and impulsive youth, yes, but most of you are well into your adulthood (am I right in thinking that there is no age limit?).
Ray-ker,
Ok, ok, we get it, the young people are all silly because they don’t agree with Alastair!
Are all the other branches that have nominated, including those plumping for your boss, rash for doing so ahead of a husting? You do realise that these aren’t unknowns, Alastair and Margaret have been on the scene for a good while, so people know what they are like, and how they engage with young people.
“youth don’t have any positive role models or do interesting things”
Well, if you think that MLAs and MPs like Alastair aren’t good role models, then you’re entitled to your view. If politicians share your ideas about ‘Typical irrational and impulsive youth’ they it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there isn’t a good working relationship.
Anyway, I’d advise that you direct your time more effectively to speaking with the men that really have opinions and influence, now you’ve made clear that the women and young people can’t be trusted to make a decision.
Once again the Anti-Al camp twist the words of a supporter to make them all look like grumpy old chauvinists. Then they jump to assumptions about posters here.
Wise up guys!
or better yet
Grow up!
(and learn to spell names for god’s sake)
Stoopid
Can’t spell the name – ok so I spelt yours stupid. 15 all.
You miss the point entirely. I was merely pointing out that endorsing one candidate before any other candidates put their hat in the ring is silly. Read the script.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Maginness or McGlone stick their hat in the ring.
It would make it much more interesting.
At present, there is too much concentration on the beauty contest and not enough on what the candidates have to offer. My tuppence worth from outside is that the SDLP need McDonnell, not Ritchie at this time. I have previously said that he can get the party to where it wants to go, but Ritchie might be better at keeping it there. They both need to get their heads together and get this sorted before the SDLP splits apart and I will have no option but go with SF or Alliance. You wouldn’t wish that on me, would you?
I have been reading this thread now for a while and laughed the whole way through it. It seems that instead of the SDLP followers putting ideas forward they are more content to argue with themselves. All the while Sinn Fein are sitting on the side lines laughing their heads off.
Let us look at both candidates.
McDonnell. The retired Doctor has more to give than Ritchie but what about double jobbing? Although it will be an issue from Feb – May after that he will be the topic of laughter. The problem he has and no offense to him is the grey hair. Adams, Empey and Robinson are all over 60. Is it not time so young gun around 30-40 was brought in?
Ritchie. What is Ritchie’s achievements? From this computer she is a puppet on a sting for DSD and in the Executive she is the butt of all laugher. Remember Robinson banged his fists on the executive table and said to her to stop raising expectations? From a constitunency issue Ritchie has always played second fiddle to McGrady. In Downpatrick the new hospital was achieved by the Down Health Committee not the politicians.
Then a question for the whole party? What is the need to push Durkan out?
It would be interesting to hear what any of McDonnell’s or Ritchie’s campaign teams have to say about their vision is in relation to:a United Ireland, a shared future, on future mergers or not, on how they intend to get their party back to the top of the tree, on what they will do to bring in more young people – active ones.
Most of us are waiting patiently.
Reiker
Your last post hit the nail on the head.
Interesting thing about Ritchie was she said at Stormont on her launch she had an exciting vision and plan. That night on Spotlight Special she said she will have one. Big difference.
This whole discussion is embarassing – For those who choose to disclose internal issues on this site is bad for the party and playing into sinn fein hands. So well done !
Reiker
‘My insider sources tell me that the so-called youth group didn’t even invite the youth who they know are obvious supporters of McD. I gather he has a number of family members who were excluded, along with anyone else remotely anti Ritchie.’
I believe your ‘insider source’ quickly retracted his assertion as it was blatantly defamatory
Having not been notified about last night’s meeting, I was very dissapointed to see the Youth Group endorse a candidate without having heard from both Candidates in a hustings. Others there argued that it was premature for the Youth Group to jump the gun before all candidates had been actually nominated at the close of the nominations period on Nov’ 14th.
I have spoken to several people who have attended Youth Group meetings in the past and who are known to be supporters of Dr. McDonnell, they are perfectly eligible to attend meetings, and they were not informed about last night, which the rest were told about at very short notice in any event. I must therefore say that the Youth Group needs to do a serious revision of its list of contacts.
SDLPYouth Member have you any evidence of who Reiker’s source is, can you substantiate your claims? Can you honestly call what was said “blatantly” defamatory? Have you had legal advice as to whether it was or not?
Final Question . . .
When will the SDLP Youth Group actually grow up and stop being used by certain MLAs and others to snipe at different people in the party?