The SDLP

On Saturday @ClaireHanna will officially become the next Leader of the SDLP. Claire’s politics is rooted in hope, ambition and bringing people together. This is an exciting time to get involved in our mission to build something new. We hope you’ll join us!

🏟 🤸‍♂️ 📿 Next Thursday I will be jumping off the roof of @CrokePark (with a rope tied round my waist!) to raise vital funds for the Evora Hospice (formerly Southern Area Hospice @HospiceSAHS) 🤗 Your kind generosity would be warmly appreciated 🤗 👇🏻 justgiving.com/page/justin-mc…

Bonfires are a tradition enjoyed by many- without asbestos, or racism or sectarian baiting, without risking homes. Then there are those for whom hate, confrontation & media rows seem to be the whole purpose. Intricate effigies of humans beings, for burning. Who is this for?

Speaking to UTV Live tonight about the growing impact of holiday hunger. At Foodstock, we’re seeing more families struggling to put food on the table and more parents skipping meals, just so their kids don’t go without. This is no way to live, but for many, it’s the reality.…

Great catchup with @ClaireHanna this afternoon after her visit to Encirc in Derrylin. The SDLP are keen to support local businesses in their plans for the future. Thanks to Cherry Tree Home Bakery for their brilliant service & tasty traybakes 😋

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP signed the book of condolences at Maguiresbridge Primary School this morning, in memory of Vanessa, James and Sara. A horrific loss that has stunned and heartbroken communities across the island.

It’s hard to find words for the horror in Maguiresbridge. God rest their precious souls. The shock for the community and their wide circle will be huge and lasting, as for those in emergency services who were at the scene.

SDLP MLA @CaraHunterMLA was targeted in a vile deepfake video during the 2022 election. Since then, she’s led the campaign to have this abuse recognised as a serious crime. Deepfake content is now on the table to be criminalised in NI law, with a public consultation open.

The genocide in Gaza is moving into a horrific phase of mass starvation and death. There are almost no lifelines left, as people are dying without food and families are being shot while queuing for aid. The UK and US governments aren’t just watching, they are complicit.

🚨🗣NEW: 'That deepfake nearly ruined my life... there are people out there today who still think that video is me.' 🎥🎤Chief Reporter @jamesgould23 speaking to @SDLPlive MLA @CaraHunterMLA in Coleraine today. ⚖️This comes as Justice Minister @naomi_long launches a public…

🏳️‍🌈 Honoured to launch Belfast Pride 2025 - the biggest Pride festival on the island of Ireland! Pride is more than a celebration - it’s a statement of who we are as a city: open, inclusive, and proud of our diversity. Thank you to everyone who makes this happen. Let’s make…

The suspension of eel fishing at Lough Neagh is devastating for local businesses and seasonal workers, but it didn’t come out of nowhere. The SDLP is demanding urgent support for those impacted and real action to save Lough Neagh before it’s too late.

This is what I had feared when I first raised concerns about the pausing of eel fishing back in May We in @SDLPlive will continue to seek compensation for our fishermen.

It’s 2025 and our kids deserve better than sectarianism. @MatthewOToole2 calls out the bigotry trying to stop children uniting through sport.

🚨🗣NEW: Cancellation of cross-community sports club with GAA branded 'sectarianism, bigotry, and nonsense.' 🎤Chief Reporter @jamesgould23 speaks to @SDLPlive Stormont Opposition Leader @MatthewOToole2. 🏐North Down Cricket Club in Comber had planned to host a cross-community…

Pathetically short sighted and bigoted. Forcing children to live on Ulster's narrow ground lest they enjoy - God forbid - holding both a hurl and a cricket bat. We are inching towards a more shared future, and some people are petrified of it.

SDLP Leader @ClaireHanna MP & Foyle MP @columeastwood have nominated Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognising her fearless voice for Palestinian civilians and demand for justice.

A dispiriting week but the core point I and my colleagues have made is not about identity or culture. There is a public health risk from the bonfire at the Village. Please don't put yourself at risk to spite us, or to vindicate some big mouth attention seeker.

If the Donegall Rd bonfire is to be left as it is, the very least the Environment Agency and Minister Muir can do is be clear with the community about the extent of asbestos contamination and the risks they face. I wrote to the Minister tonight to ask him to break his silence.

🎥 “Public safety and public health has to come above everything else.” 🗣️ Matthew O’Toole on bonfire near the Donegall Road which has sparked concerns about asbestos and its proximity to a substation which powers two Belfast hospitals 🎤 He speaks to our reporter @TaraGriff

The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works. There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything. Why not?