About a month ago, I wrote that the upcoming decade of centenaries is actually a decade featuring a lot of “Fiftieth Anniversaries”…….notably of the Civil Rights movement, the start of the Troubles and the formation of the SDLP.
I have also argued that many mainstream nationalists…indeed including myself gave Sinn Féin the benefit of the doubt in the period 1998-2011 (2009 in my case) allowing it to overtake the SDLP as the leading nationalist party. Indeed there were two doubts……that Sinn Féin was fully committed to the Peace Process and that it would compromise nationalist/republican interests and principles less than SDLP.
I would argue that there is a “soft” nationalist/republican vote (my family) which is now suspicious of Sinn Féin and that the pendulum CAN swing. Now let me make it clear that I am NOT forecasting or making predictions. I am merely stating that nationalists/republicans have reasons to be suspicious of the obvious choreography that leads to Martin McGuinness meeting “the Queen” and the involvement of Sinn Féin in the decade of centenaries such as the Somme…..and the unseemly rush for SF to claim the “middle ground”. I think that Dr Alasdair McDonnell put it best “Sinn Féin and DUP want a one party state with a green wing and an orange wing”.
But the political problem for SF is that they are “in office” and actually administering cuts while unconvincingly “opposing them”.
But consider recent “issues”. SDLP councillors are standing on picket lines with public sector workers. The SDLP (Alaban Magennis and Pat Ramsey) are championing the unpopular cause of “interned” dissident republican Marian Price more than any member of Sinn Féin, the SDLP (thru Dominic Bradley) championing the Irish language more than anyone in the Department of Culture. SDLP are convincing advocates for migrants, the people who have been trafficked, pre-school children, victims of the Troubles and victims of sexual abuse. The SDLP is speaking up for victims of welfare cuts while the Alliance Party turns ever more to the political right.
More convincing advocates than any rival. For issues which are at heart issues of Civil Rights. The more our political future is fought on Civil Rights, the better “ground” it is for SDLP. Coupled with re-organisation (already under way) the realisation that every issue is about Civil Rights will make the SDLP more electable.
Keeping An Eye On the Czar of Russia 
Leaving aside your thoughts on the Alliance crowd, I am curious as to how the SDLP are reorganising, I see no evidence of this.Neither do I see any evidence of the SDLP Re-defining or driving the agenda which is what needs to happen if the SDLP are to regain any ground within Nationalism, let alone the wider community. Precise examples would be appreciated Mr Fitz?
The fact that you cannot see any evidence of re-organisation is actually a good thing. Necessarily re-organisation is an internal matter. So…at the beginning at least is “re-thinking”. My membership prohibits making any reference to anything that I would have seen or heard as direct consequence of membership.
But to flag up two already aspects already announced to the public is the placement of “shadow” councillors in areas where SDLP are targetting. Likewise last months SDLP Youth Conference showed that numbers are extremely high and that band of people are extremely active on the ground (leafleting etc) but are making inroads into “senior branches” and indeed other influential positions, not necessarily within SDLP.
It is an ongoing process but we are mid-way from the 2011 Conference to the 2012 Conference.
There is certainly a spring in the step of the SDLP. Not least because their opponents (SF & Alliance) have been lucky too long.
Thanks! So a work in progress then? It remains to be seen how this pans out, good luck anyhow! Is there a targetted plan in place for the next round of elections? I think you are hinting that there is which is, which a considerable advance. I think the SDLP is making a mistake if it has a master plan which it is keeping secret, why not share it? ie: Set goals, develop a strategy, implement the strategy, evaluate the results, learn the lessons, develop…….
I wasnt hinting that there is such a plan…..but certainly hinting that there should be one. Indeed its already publicly known that there will be a plan. Necessarily the actual planning is a matter for SDLP.
The precedent of a respectful leadership election dominating August-November is quite good. There was always a danger it could become very divisive but my perception from attending several hustings was that there was actually a much better sense of unity.
Indeed at the last husting (the first night of the SDLP Conference) there was a distinct buzz as well as sense of relief.
Hmmm, lots of noise then but little action? Ok, you need a hand let me know!
re. “But the political problem for SF is that they are “in office” and actually administering cuts while unconvincingly “opposing them”.
The problem is arguably worse for the SDLP (and the Ulster Unionists) in that they are part of the Stormo Executive and spend most of their time whinging about how bad it is(whilst trying to get anorther Eexcutive seat).
If either the SLDP or the UU had the courage of their convictions they would oxter-themsemselves-oot of the Stormo Executive and take up residence in opposition – and until such time as they do that it smacks of (desperate at times) opportunism.