sdlpconf

SDLP leader faces election telling party members that ‘we didn’t turn this ship round just to sail in circles’ #SDLP26

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on September 12, 2026, 3:45 pm

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Matthew O'Toole, Claire Hanna and Colum Eastwood

The SDLP gathered in the Crowne Plaza hotel for their annual conference. Claire Hanna’s leader’s speech was concise, punchy and well received. But the good reception in the hall now needs to transfer to a good reception on the doors, and high preferences on ballot papers if her party’s ambitions to grow are to be realised. One of the recurring themes of this year’s conference was disappointment at the performance of the Executive and the lack of delivery. The SDLP …

SDLP Conference Report – seeking to build something new that values hopes over fears #SDLP25

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on October 4, 2025, 5:16 pm

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Clare Hanna surrounded by family and political colleages at the conclusion of her speech at the October 2025 conference. The conference stage backdrop is a vivid red colour.

Last year’s conference witnessed the baton of leadership being passed from Colum Eastwood to Claire Hanna. A year later, the new leader was benefitting from a reinvigorated internal party machine. Hanna was less reticent and more forthright in discussing her vision for Irish unity, and was supported by Assembly colleagues who felt confident to celebrate their work in Opposition up on the hill. Executive parties have to make a show of highlighting delivery in their conference panels and speeches, sometimes …

SDLP Leadership team delivers on stage but can the party turn the corner?

David McCann on April 7, 2018, 7:33 pm

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The SDLP gathered for the first time in over two years for their conference at Titanic Belfast. In what has been a political year of many highs of lows for the party it was a relatively low key affair for most of the morning. Delegates (those who turned up) debated a steady stream of motions on welfare reform, environment and policing. The only potentially controversial motion that was up for debate was one regarding the naming of parks after actors …

Colum Eastwood new leader of the SDLP (updated with interview)

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on November 14, 2015, 5:38 pm

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NEW LEADER Colum Eastwood is new leader of the SDLP. Fearghal McKinney the new deputy leader.

Alasdair McDonnell’s lunchtime speech as SDLP leader – renewal and rebuilding #sdlp15

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on November 14, 2015, 4:12 pm

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RENEWAL & REBUILDING – Alasdair McDonnell’s lunchtime speech to SDLP conference. His last speech as leader? Or the speech of his life that would sway undecided voters and help him pull ahead of Colum Eastwood?

#sdlp15 Dolores Kelly reaches out hand to UUP while Rev Norman Hamilton urges more effort around reconciliation

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on November 13, 2015, 11:58 pm

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RECONCILIATION RULES – Deputy SDLP leader Dolores Kelly reaches out from Progressive Nationalism to Progressive Unionism suggests bilateral talks with UUP, while visiting Rev Norman Hamilton reminds party about reconciliation and points to need for further efforts.

Party conferences dates, venues and a thought for exhibitors who want to wrestle control back from the parties

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on September 11, 2012, 7:47 pm

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A quick post to remind political conference followers about the start of the conference season. UUP are tempting metaphors and analogies with their conference on 21 (members only) and 22 (public sessions) September in Titan Belfast. Last year Secretary of State Owen Paterson popped into the conference and said a few words on his way past; Mike Nesbitt gave a Cameron-style speech on the economy without notes challenging the party to: … become net contributors to Her Majesty’s Treasury. We …