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11/11/2009
Ritchie Launches Leadership Bid
Margaret Richie has launched her SDLP leadership campaign, promising to rebuild the party.
Outlining her ambitions this week, Ms Ritchie said her leadership would be bound by three pillars.
She told supporters in Belfast these would centre on "a prosperous, increasingly independent economy that lifts the lives and wellbeing of all.
"A genuinely shared society for every citizen. And in time, a united Ireland."
She continued: "We alone can deliver this vision. So we must make sure we are fit for purpose to deliver."
Ms Ritchie is the SDLP's only Executive minister, having taken office in May 2007.
She is also a South Down assembly member, and until recently served on Down District Council.
Ms Ritchie will battle current party leader Alasdair McDonnell for the post, which is being vacated by Mark Durkan.
Mr Durkan said he planned to stand down from the Assembly and as party leader to focus on his Parliamentary constituency work in Londonderry.
Nominations for the leadership opened on 1 November, and the vote will be held at the SDLP conference in February.
(PR/BMcC)
Outlining her ambitions this week, Ms Ritchie said her leadership would be bound by three pillars.
She told supporters in Belfast these would centre on "a prosperous, increasingly independent economy that lifts the lives and wellbeing of all.
"A genuinely shared society for every citizen. And in time, a united Ireland."
She continued: "We alone can deliver this vision. So we must make sure we are fit for purpose to deliver."
Ms Ritchie is the SDLP's only Executive minister, having taken office in May 2007.
She is also a South Down assembly member, and until recently served on Down District Council.
Ms Ritchie will battle current party leader Alasdair McDonnell for the post, which is being vacated by Mark Durkan.
Mr Durkan said he planned to stand down from the Assembly and as party leader to focus on his Parliamentary constituency work in Londonderry.
Nominations for the leadership opened on 1 November, and the vote will be held at the SDLP conference in February.
(PR/BMcC)
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16 August 2010
SF Opposes Ritchie Calls For Police Primacy
Sinn Fein have condemned a nationalist call for the North's police to again run secret anti-terror operations. The party's policing spokesman was commenting in the wake of the SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie's news that she is seeking urgent meetings with both the Irish Republic's Taoiseach, Brian Cowen and the NIO Secretary of State Owen Paterson.
SF Opposes Ritchie Calls For Police Primacy
Sinn Fein have condemned a nationalist call for the North's police to again run secret anti-terror operations. The party's policing spokesman was commenting in the wake of the SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie's news that she is seeking urgent meetings with both the Irish Republic's Taoiseach, Brian Cowen and the NIO Secretary of State Owen Paterson.
17 August 2010
SDLP Leader Slammed For MI5 Comments
There has been an angry response to yesterday's call to give the North's police back its former lead role in intelligence gathering. Speaking after SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie claimed that MI5 should hand over dissident republican intelligence to the PSNI as it had failed to prevent terror attacks across NI.
SDLP Leader Slammed For MI5 Comments
There has been an angry response to yesterday's call to give the North's police back its former lead role in intelligence gathering. Speaking after SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie claimed that MI5 should hand over dissident republican intelligence to the PSNI as it had failed to prevent terror attacks across NI.
08 February 2010
Taoiseach Welcomes New SDLP Leader
The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has welcomed Margaret Ritchie as the new leader of the SDLP. Yesterday, Ms Ritchie made history by becoming the first woman elected to lead the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
Taoiseach Welcomes New SDLP Leader
The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has welcomed Margaret Ritchie as the new leader of the SDLP. Yesterday, Ms Ritchie made history by becoming the first woman elected to lead the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
09 December 2009
SF Backs Ritchie Justice Nomination
Sinn Féin has backed the SDLP's potential nomination of Margaret Ritchie for the job as the Stormont Justice Minister. The SDLP leadership is expected to formally put Ms Ritchie forward for the post later this week. She has reportedly been selected ahead of the party's current justice spokesman, Alban Maginness.
SF Backs Ritchie Justice Nomination
Sinn Féin has backed the SDLP's potential nomination of Margaret Ritchie for the job as the Stormont Justice Minister. The SDLP leadership is expected to formally put Ms Ritchie forward for the post later this week. She has reportedly been selected ahead of the party's current justice spokesman, Alban Maginness.
21 September 2009
Speculation Over SDLP Leadership Contest
Senior ranking SDLP members are poised to battle it out for the party leadership, after Mark Durkan announced his intentions to stand down at the weekend. Mr Durkan, who has led the North's nationalist party since 2001, said he would resign as leader and an MLA if reelected to the House of Commons at the next general election.
Speculation Over SDLP Leadership Contest
Senior ranking SDLP members are poised to battle it out for the party leadership, after Mark Durkan announced his intentions to stand down at the weekend. Mr Durkan, who has led the North's nationalist party since 2001, said he would resign as leader and an MLA if reelected to the House of Commons at the next general election.
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