Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election, 2010
 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
An election for the leadership of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) was held between 5-7 February, 2010. Margaret Ritchie defeated her only challenger, Alasdair McDonnell, by 222 votes to 187 votes.[1]
Background
The former SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, announced his intention to stand down as leader of the SDLP in September 2009,[2] citing that he did not want to continue to lead the party past his 50th birthday, and also to allow him to concentrate on his parliamentary career.[2] Subsequently, a leadership election was scheduled for the SDLP annual conference in February, 2010.[3]
Candidates
Two SDLP members contested the leadership election.[3] These were:
- Alasdair McDonnell - MP for South Belfast as well as MLA for the corresponding constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. McDonnell was also the Deputy Leader of the SDLP prior to the leadership election.[1]
- Margaret Ritchie - MLA for South Down and Minister for Social Development in the Northern Ireland Assembly.[1]
Results
Below is a table summarising the result of the leadership election:
| Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election, 2010 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Margaret Ritchie |  222 |
54.3 | |
| Alasdair McDonnell | 187 | 45.7 | |
Margaret Ritchie was duly named the new SDLP leader on 7 February, 2010.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 New SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie aims to be Northern Ireland's First Minister Minister Belfast Telegraph, 8 February 2010
- 1 2 Durkan announces intention to step down RTÉ News, 20 September 2009
- 1 2 McDonnell/Ritchie to contest SDLP leadership Social Democratic and Labour Party website, 16 November 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2011