Durkan enters running for SDLP leadership

Stormont Finance minister Mark Durkan has announced that he will be putting his name forward in the race for leadership of the SDLP.

The leadership of the nationalist party became vacant on Monday 17 September when John Hume announced that he was retiring from the post he held for 22 years. Mr Hume, a veteran politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, cited health reasons for his decision to cut back on his workload.

Following Mr Hume’s announcement, deputy leader of the SDLP, Séamus Mallon, quelled speculation that he would be in the running to replace him. Mr Mallon also said that he was resigning his position as deputy leader of the SDLP.

Nominations for the dual leadership roles have to be submitted by this weekend and the party will elect its new leader and deputy leader at its annual conference on 10 November.

Mr Durkan, 41, represents the Foyle constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly and has proven himself as Finance minister in the Stormont Executive.

Sources indicate that Mr Durkan is the favourite to succeed Mr Hume and that his bid for the leadership will be unchallenged in the annual SDLP convention in November.

Meanwhile, former Belfast Lord Mayor Alban Maginness has declared his candidacy for the deputy leader position.

Agriculture Minister Bríd Rodgers, Employment Minister Sean Farren, South Down MP Mr Eddie McGrady and assembly members Joe Byrne, Patricia Lewsley and Eamon O’Neill are also being tipped as possible candidates. (AMcE)