Nominations closed today…….and they are off…….(as the Actress said to the Bishop).

The Social Democratic and Labour Party was formed in 1971 and was essentially a coalition of “nationalists”, “civil rights activists” and “Labourite” people. It believes in a United Ireland. It does not believe violence is or was an appropriate means.

The Runners and Riders.

1 Patsy McGlone 53ish …..Deputy Leader of SDLP. MLA for Mid Ulster where he has a safe quota. Elected in 2003. Based in South Derry. Considered to be a “nationalist” at heart. Fluent Gaelic speaker. His stance is that SDLP have lost touch with their traditional support. I have met him on two occasions. Nice Guy.

2 Dr Alasdair McDonnell…61….MP (Westminster) for South Belfast (since 2005) and MLA for South Belfast (since 1998). Has been General Practitioner/Family Doctor in South Belfast. Considered to the left of McGlone. But comes across as a forthright person to the point of rudeness. He was expected to win the Leadership in February 2010 but was defeated (222 votes to 187) by Margaret Ritchie. His candicacy seems to be based on reminding the voters that they got it wrong. His disadvantage is that he holds “two jobs” and double-jobbing is not popular. I have only met him once.

3 Alex Attwood….52…..MLA for West Belfast, my old neighbourhood, since 1998. Heholds the only SDLP seat. The other five are Sinn Féin. He has suffered a lot of vitriolic abuse from Sinn Féin and he has to be admired for that alone. He is the Minister for the Environment, the SDLPs only seat in the all-party government. A successful Minister but he suffers the handicap of being appointed by Margaret Ritchie which was not only favouritism but a slight to the Party as the Deputy Leader (McGlone) was snubbed. Although I met him several years ago, I doubt if he would know me now. I am told he does not like my comments about Ritchie on message boards.

4 Conall McDevitt…39…..active in SDLP backroom for many years, he has a background in Public Relations. To the left of the Party, a skilled communicator. But only a MLA since 2010, when he was co-opted to the Assembly. Narrowly held his South Belfast seat earlier this year. Talks about knowing that he is getting the message that the SDLP membership wants change…but doesnt seem to have noticed that he was one of the people who is blamed for leading the SDLP away from its roots. I have met him on about six occasions over the last twelve months. I know that he was for the most part, a supporter of my Blogs in the early part of this year. It is unlikely that he will be so well disposed to my recent writings.

One candidate from the “country” and three from Belfast, including two from South Belfast seems to favour Patsy McGlone.

The Election will be by proportional representation.

There are two nominations for Deputy Leader.

1 Dolores Kelly 52……MLA for Upper Bann since 2003.

2 Colum Eastwood 28….former Mayor of Derry but only elected tp the Assembly as MLA for Foyle just four months ago.