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{{Short description|Political party in Northern Ireland}}
{{About|the political party of Northern Ireland||Social Democratic Labour Party (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|SDLP}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2023}}
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = {{Nowrap|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}
| native_name = Páirtí Sóisialta agus Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre
| native_name_lang = ga
| abbreviation = SDLP
| logo = File:Social Democratic and Labour Party Logo 2020.png
| logo_size = 250px
| colorcode = {{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}
| leader = [[Claire Hanna]]
| president = [[Bríd Rodgers]]
| chairperson = [[Daniel McCrossan]]
| founders = {{ubl|[[Gerry Fitt]]|[[John Hume]]|[[Ivan Cooper]]|[[Austin Currie]]|[[Paddy Devlin]]|[[Paddy O'Hanlon]]|[[Paddy Wilson]]}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1970|08|21|df=y|br=y}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/the-day-the-sdlp-was-formed-in-the-spirit-of-optimism-1.4119278|title=The day the SDLP was formed 'in the spirit of optimism'|first=Una|last=Mullally|date=12 January 2020|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219042023/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/the-day-the-sdlp-was-formed-in-the-spirit-of-optimism-1.4119278|url-status=live}}</ref>
| predecessor = {{ubl|class=nowrap|[[National Democratic Party (Northern Ireland)|National Democratic Party]]|'''Factions from:'''|[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Irish Labour Party]]|[[Nationalist Party (Ireland)|Nationalist Party]]|[[Northern Ireland Labour Party]]|[[Republican Labour Party]]|[[Ulster Liberal Party]]}}
| headquarters = 121 Ormeau Road<br />[[Belfast]]<br />BT7 1SH<ref>{{cite web |url=http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP55 |title=View registration – the Electoral Commission |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901144556/http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP55 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| youth_wing = [[SDLP Youth]]
| womens_wing = SDLP Women
| wing1_title = LGBT wing
| wing1 = SDLP LGBT+
| ideology = {{ubl|[[Social democracy]]<ref name="Nordsieck">{{cite web|title=Northern Ireland/UK|website=Parties and Elections in Europe|url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/nireland.html|year=2017|access-date=28 September 2018|first=Wolfram|last=Nordsieck|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107064030/http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/nireland.html|archive-date=7 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Irish nationalism]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The Good Friday Agreement – SDLP|url=http://www.sdlp.ie/index.php/the_issues/the_good_friday_agreement/|access-date=6 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126072925/http://www.sdlp.ie/index.php/the_issues/the_good_friday_agreement/|archive-date=26 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| position = [[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]<ref name="Driver2011">{{cite book|first=Stephen|last=Driver|title=Understanding British Party Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FFN69PhXzykC&pg=PA188|year=2011|publisher=Polity|isbn=978-0-7456-4078-5|page=188|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527174925/https://books.google.com/books?id=FFN69PhXzykC&pg=PA188|archive-date=27 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DixonO'Kane2014">{{cite book|author1=Paul Dixon|author2=Eamonn O'Kane|title=Northern Ireland Since 1969|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LVXJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA6|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-86657-2|page=6|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430070704/https://books.google.com/books?id=LVXJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA6|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| european = [[Party of European Socialists]]
| europarl = [[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats]] (observer)
| international = [[Socialist International]] (observer)
| colours = {{colour box|{{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}} Green {{colour box|#D72B41}} Red
| seats1_title = [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]<br />([[List of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland|NI seats]])
| seats1 = {{composition bar|2|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats2_title = [[Northern Ireland Assembly|NI Assembly]]
| seats2 = {{composition bar|8|90|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats3_title = [[Local government in Northern Ireland|Councillors in Northern Ireland]]<ref name="localcouncil">{{cite web|url=http://www.opencouncildata.co.uk/index.php|title=Local Council Political Compositions|date=7 January 2018|publisher=Open Council Date UK|access-date=7 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930131243/http://www.opencouncildata.co.uk/index.php|archive-date=30 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| seats3 = {{composition bar|37|462|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.sdlp.ie/|sdlp.ie}}
| country = Northern Ireland
| seats5 = {{composition bar|1|11|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats5_title = [[Local government in Northern Ireland|Councils led in Northern Ireland]]
}}
The '''Social Democratic and Labour Party''' ('''SDLP'''; {{langx|ga|Páirtí Sóisialta agus Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tearma.ie/q/Social%20Democratic%20and%20Labour%20Party/en/ |title='Social Democratic and Labour Party' |website=téarma.ie |access-date=26 March 2024 }}</ref> is a [[social democracy|social democratic]]<ref name="Driver2011" /><ref name="Smith2011">{{cite book|author=William Beattie Smith|title=The British State and the Northern Ireland Crisis, 1969–73: From Violence to Power Sharing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m69v-9b24B8C&pg=PA117|access-date=1 February 2013|year=2011|publisher=US Institute of Peace Press|isbn=978-1-60127-067-2|page=117|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530024053/http://books.google.com/books?id=m69v-9b24B8C&pg=PA117|archive-date=30 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AnttiroikoMälkiä2007">{{cite book|editor1=Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko|editor2=Matti Mälkiä|title=Encyclopedia of Digital Government|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iDrTMazYhdkC&pg=PA398|access-date=18 July 2013|year=2007|publisher=Idea Group Inc|isbn=978-1-59140-790-4|page=398|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103064353/http://books.google.com/books?id=iDrTMazYhdkC&pg=PA398|archive-date=3 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist]]<ref name="Smith2011"/><ref name="HaywardO'Donnell2010">{{cite book|author1=Katy Hayward|author2=Catherine O'Donnell|title=Political Discourse and Conflict Resolution: Debating Peace in Northern Ireland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B8X8LmLTZE4C&pg=PA89|access-date=1 February 2013|year=2010|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-56628-5|page=89|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530020722/http://books.google.com/books?id=B8X8LmLTZE4C&pg=PA89|archive-date=30 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="McCall2003">{{cite book|author=Cathal McCall|title=Culture and Cooperation in Europe's Borderlands|publisher=Rodopi|year=2003|isbn=978-90-420-1085-7|editor1=James Anderson|page=93|chapter=Shifting Thresholds, Contested Meanings|access-date=1 February 2013|editor2=Liam O'Dowd|editor3=Thomas M. Wilson|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ZHC1f4c6MYC&pg=PA93|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530044623/http://books.google.com/books?id=8ZHC1f4c6MYC&pg=PA93|archive-date=30 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[list of political parties in Northern Ireland|political party]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. The SDLP currently has eight members in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] ([[Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)|MLAs]]) and two [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|members of Parliament]] (MPs) in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]].
The SDLP [[party platform]] advocates [[United Ireland|Irish reunification]]<ref name="Nordsieck"/> and, pending the unity of all the people of Ireland and while the northern jurisdiction remains part of the United Kingdom, further [[devolution in the United Kingdom|devolution of powers]]. It is a [[Political party|sister party]] of the [[UK Labour Party]], which maintains an [[electoral pact]] with the SDLP not to stand candidates in Northern Ireland but to support SDLP candidates instead. MPs from the SDLP sit with Labour MPs on the government benches when Labour is in power, but do not take the Labour [[Whip (politics)|whip]], though they informally did so historically.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=David |date=24 July 2024 |title=DUP accuse SDLP of 'somersaulting' across House of Commons to sit with the government |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/dup-accuse-sdlp-of-somersaulting-across-house-of-commons-to-sit-with-the-government-4715894 |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=News Letter}}</ref><ref>[http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/docs/alcock.htm Understanding Ulster] by [[Antony Alcock]], Ulster Society Publications, 1997. Chapter II: The Unloved, Unwanted Garrison. Via Conflict Archive on the Internet. Retrieved 31 October 2008.</ref>
During [[the Troubles]], the SDLP was the most popular Irish nationalist party in Northern Ireland, but since the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|Provisional IRA]] ceasefire in 1994, it has lost ground to the [[Irish republicanism|republican]] party [[Sinn Féin]], which in 2001 became the more popular of the two parties for the first time. Established during the Troubles, a significant difference between the two parties was the SDLP's rejection of violence, in contrast to Sinn Féin's then-support for (and organisational ties to) the Provisional IRA and [[physical force republicanism]].
==
===Foundation and early history (1970–1972)===
The party was founded on 21 August 1970, when six [[Parliament of Northern Ireland|Stormont]] MPs ([[Gerry Fitt]], [[Republican Labour Party]]; [[Austin Currie]], [[Nationalist Party (Northern Ireland)|Nationalist Party]]; [[Paddy Devlin]], [[Northern Ireland Labour Party]]; [[John Hume]], [[Ivan Cooper]] and [[Paddy O'Hanlon]], Independent) and one Senator ([[Paddy Wilson]], Republican Labour), joined to form a new party.<ref name="Driver2011" /> They were joined on 10 November by a second Senator ([[Claude Wilton]], [[Ulster Liberal Party]]), bringing the total parliamentary party to eight members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Derry City Cemetery Series: The Wilton's: Father, son and uncle who made their mark on Derry for very different reasons |url=https://www.derrynow.com/news/features/439318/derry-city-cemetery-series-the-wiltons-father-son-and-uncle-who-made-their-mark-on-derry-for-very-different-reasons.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.derrynow.com |date=14 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Gerry Fitt was chosen to lead the new party while John Hume was appointed its deputy. Paddy Wilson also became the party’s first General Secretary.
The smaller [[National Democratic Party (Northern Ireland)|National Democratic Party]] dissolved itself in October of that year and encouraged all its members to join the new party.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Thomas G. |title=Native vs. Settler: Ethnic Conflict in Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland and South Africa |publisher=Bloomsbury 3PL |year=2000 |isbn=978-0313313578}}</ref> Additionally, individual members and branches from other parties joined including from the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Irish Labour Party]], Nationalist Party, Northern Ireland Labour Party, Republican Labour Party and Ulster Liberal Party.<ref name="NeuheiserWolff2004">{{cite book |author1=Jörg Neuheiser |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3dUdFjqNCO4C&pg=PA46 |title=Peace at Last?: The Impact of the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland |author2=Stefan Wolff |date=1 January 2004 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-1-57181-658-0 |page=46 |access-date=26 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530035552/http://books.google.com/books?id=3dUdFjqNCO4C&pg=PA46 |archive-date=30 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The SDLP contested its first election in a by-election for the [[Belfast St Anne's (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)|Belfast St. Anne’s]] seat on 12 November. Their candidate Gerry Laverty won 24.2% of the vote in the traditionally Unionist seat.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Flackes |first1=William D. |title=Northern Ireland: A Political Directory, 1968-1993 |last2=Elliott |first2=Sydney |publisher=Blackstaff Press |year=1994 |isbn=9780856405273}}</ref>
The SDLP initially rejected the Nationalist Party's policy of abstentionism and sought to fight for civil rights within the Stormont system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Conor |date=29 August 2019 |title=Why Brexit Won't Change Sinn Féin's Abstention from the UK Parliament |url=https://blog.politics.ox.ac.uk/understanding-sinn-feins-abstention-from-the-uk-parliament/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=6 March 2023 |website=Oxpol}}</ref> However, the SDLP quickly came to the view that Stormont was unreformable, refusing to attend the state opening on 18 June 1971, and withdrawing altogether in response the shooting dead of Seamus Cusack and Desmond Beattie in Derry on 8 July.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulholland |first=Marc |title=The End of Stormont and imposition of direct rule in 1972 |url=https://www.gale.com/binaries/content/assets/au-resources-in-product/northernireland_essay_stormont.pdf}}</ref>
On 15 August the SDLP announced they would lead a Campaign of Civil Disobedience in response to the introduction of internment the previous week. This involved the withdrawal of SDLP representatives from public bodies, the organisation of a rent and rates strike and SDLP MPs participating in a 48 hour hunger strike outside 10 Downing Street.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=Sarah |title=Gerry Fitt and the SDLP: 'In a minority of one' |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-7190-9805-5}}</ref>
The SDLP held its first annual conference in Dungiven on 23 October that year. The party adopted its draft constitution, Eddie McGrady was elected the party’s first chairman while Sheila Carson becomes its first secretary. Several motions were passed including committing the party firmly to socialism, supporting the parliamentary party’s decision to withdraw from Stormont and condemning the 11-plus.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 1971 |title=Conference endorses S.D.L.P.'s Boycott of Stormont |pages=5 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>
After the abolition of the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] in 1972, the SDLP emerged as the largest party representing the nationalist community. On 20 September the party issued its first major policy document, entitled "Towards a New Ireland".<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Issues: Politics: Towards a New Ireland - Proposals by the Social Democratic and Labour Party |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/crights/sdlp1972.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref> It recommended that the British Government issue a declaration that it would recognise that Ireland is better off united, and that as an interim proposal Northern Ireland should be administered jointly by the British and Irish Governments. It also proposed the establishment of a National Senate drawn equally from a devolved Assembly in Belfast and the Oireachtas in Dublin to plan for the integration of the island.
=== Sunningdale Agreement (1973–1974) ===
The first major electoral contest for the SDLP were [[1973 Northern Ireland local elections|elections to Northern Ireland’s 26 new district councils]], held on 30 May 1973. The SDLP won 13.4% of the vote and 82 seats, becoming the second largest party in Northern Ireland and the largest party in the districts of [[Derry City Council|Derry]], [[Magherafelt District Council|Magherafelt]] and [[Newry and Mourne District Council|Newry and Mourne]]. Other nationalist parties failed to achieve much success, leaving the SDLP as the largest party representing the nationalist community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Government Elections 1973 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg73.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref>
Paddy Wilson, the SDLP’s General Secretary and councillor in the new Belfast City Council was [[Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews killings|murdered on the 26 June]], two days before the election to the new Northern Ireland Assembly. Wilson and another woman, Irene Andrews, were killed by the UFF, a codename for the UDA. John White was later convicted for his part in the killings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 June 1973 |title=Tributes to Paddy Wilson, the 'Man of Peace' |work=The Irish News}}</ref>
Following publication of the British Government’s White Paper, [[1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election|elections]] were held to the new [[Northern Ireland Assembly (1973)|Northern Ireland Assembly]] on 28 June, where the party won 19 out of 75 seats and once again emerged as the voice of the nationalist community, increasing its vote share to 22% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1973 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa73.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref> Negotiations occurred throughout October and November on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive to govern Northern Ireland with the SDLP, [[Ulster Unionist Party|UUP]] and [[Alliance Party of Northern Ireland|Alliance]] taking part. On 21 November [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland Secretary of State]], [[William Whitelaw, 1st Viscount Whitelaw|William Whitelaw]], announced that agreement had been reached on the composition and functions of the new Executive, with the SDLP entitled to four of the eleven members and a further two non-Executive office holders. Agreement was still to be reached on many other aspects of the White Paper, particularly regarding the Council of Ireland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Devlin |first=Paddy |title=Straight Left: An Autobiography |publisher=Blackstaff Press Ltd |year=1993 |isbn=978-0856405143}}</ref>
Following discussions between the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] and [[Taoiseach|Irish Taoiseach]], as well as the political parties, it was announced on 9 December at [[Sunningdale Agreement|Sunningdale]] that an agreement had been reached on the remaining elements of the White Paper, including the implementation of a Council of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1973-12-09 |title=1973: Sunningdale Agreement signed |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/9/newsid_2536000/2536767.stm |access-date=2023-08-14}}</ref>
On 1 January 1974 the [[Executive of the 1974 Northern Ireland Assembly|Northern Ireland Executive]] took office, with Gerry Fitt as Deputy Chief Executive, John Hume as Minister of Commerce, Paddy Devlin as Minister of Health and Social Services and Austin Currie as Minister of Housing, Local Government and Planning.<ref name=":0" />
The SDLP faced its first [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|Westminster election]] shortly afterwards in February in what became a referendum on power-sharing. The anti-power-sharing Unionists united under the [[United Ulster Unionist Council|UUUC]] banner and won 11 seats, with Gerry Fitt being the only pro-power-sharing MP returned, dealing a critical blow to the fledgling Executive. The Executive eventually collapsed after 5 months following several weeks of the [[Ulster Workers' Council strike|Ulster Workers’ Council strike]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Events: Ulster Workers' Council Strike - Chronology |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/uwc/chr.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref>
=== Searching for agreement (1975–1980) ===
Attempting to find agreement, the Secretary of State called elections for a [[Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention|Constitutional Convention]] on 1 May 1975, for which the SDLP won 17 seats and 24% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention Elections 1975 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fc75.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref> The UUUC however won a majority of seats and votes, the Constitutional Convention made no progress and the British Government brought it to an end in early 1976. Later that year on 1 September SDLP member Denis Mullen was shot dead at his home.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-14 |title=Plucky pensioner ready to confront UVF killer who murdered husband |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/plucky-pensioner-ready-to-confront-uvf-killer-who-murdered-husband/40934991.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=SundayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
Following the failure of the Constitutional Convention the SDLP continued searching for a long term solution, at times engaging in talks with the UUP. In 1977 the party issued a policy document titled "Facing Reality". This called for the party to put a stronger emphasis on the "Irish dimension". In response to this perceived move away from the party’s Labour values [[Paddy Devlin]], then party chairperson, resigned from the party.<ref name=":0" />
In 1978 SDLP deputy leader [[John Hume]] presented his proposal for an "agreed Ireland". In contrast to the two main options at the time of full integration into Britain or full withdrawal, Hume’s solution proposed the British government declaring that its aim was to bring the main traditions in Ireland together in reconciliation.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Farren |first=Seán |title=John Hume: In His Own Words |publisher=Four Courts Press Ltd |year=2017 |isbn=978-1846826535}}</ref>
After years of little progress 1979 brought considerably more action for the SDLP. A [[1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry|vote of confidence]] in the Labour Government failed in March that year. [[Gerry Fitt]] abstained on the vote as the Government had failed to act on the Bennett Report into RUC interrogation techniques.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-03-31 |title=The Night the Government Fell |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7972582.stm |access-date=2023-08-14}}</ref> In the following general election, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] came to power in Westminster and Fitt held his seat in Belfast West.
In June that year the first direct [[1979 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|election to the European Parliament]] were held. The SDLP candidate was John Hume who won a seat with 25% of the first preference vote. He went on to sit in the [[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats|Socialist Group]] in the European Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Hume: Northern Ireland's peace-maker and committed European {{!}} Think Tank {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)733515 |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>
The new Conservative Secretary of State, [[Humphrey Atkins]], invited Northern Ireland parties including the SDLP to a conference on the future of Northern Ireland. There was intense debate in the SDLP whether or not to attend a conference which would not discuss any all-island dimension, with Gerry Fitt wanting to attend regardless of any discussion on an "Irish dimension" while many others, including John Hume, refusing to attend. As a result of this dispute Fitt resigned as SDLP leader.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murphy |first=Michael |title=Gerry Fitt - A Political Chameleon |publisher=Mercier Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-1856355315}}</ref> On 28 November John Hume was elected as his replacement, and [[Seamus Mallon]] became his deputy.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mallon |first1=Seamus |title=A Shared Home Place |last2=Pollak |first2=Andy |publisher=The Lilliput Press Ltd |year=2019 |isbn=978-1843517634}}</ref>
The SDLP eventually made the decision to attend the Atkins conference, on the condition that there would be parallel discussions involving the "Irish dimension". These talks, like others, failed to reach agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conservative Party: Atkins letter to MT ("Party Conference 1981") [Atkins inclined to seek a debate on Northern Ireland during Party Conference] [declassified 2011] {{!}} Margaret Thatcher Foundation |url=https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/125266 |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.margaretthatcher.org}}</ref>
=== Entry of Sinn Féin (1981–1982) ===
Following the death of [[Fermanagh and South Tyrone (UK Parliament constituency)|Fermanagh and South Tyrone]] MP [[Frank Maguire (politician)|Frank Maguire]] and the selection of hunger striker [[Bobby Sands]] as a candidate in the [[April 1981 Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election|following by-election]] the SDLP decided to withdraw [[Austin Currie]] as their candidate.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Currie |first=Austin |title=All Hell Will Break Loose |publisher=O'Brien |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-86278-815-5}}</ref> The election was held on 9 April and Bobby Sands won the seat by a slim margin. As the strikes went on, SDLP leader John Hume met Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] to ask that she concede some of the demands of the hunger strikers. No agreement was forthcoming. When Sands died, the SDLP also stood aside for Owen Carron, who also won the seat by a narrow margin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fermanagh and South Tyrone, 1983-1992 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/bfst.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref>
The hunger strikes also had an impact on the electoral fortunes of the SDLP. In [[1981 Northern Ireland local elections|local government elections in 1981]] the SDLP vote share fell to 17.5% as nationalist voters began to support more candidates from parties like the [[Irish Independence Party]] and [[Irish Republican Socialist Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Government Elections 1981 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg81.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref>
In Spring 1982 [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland Secretary of State]] [[Jim Prior]] proposed “rolling devolution” by which a consultative Assembly be established. John Hume labelled the proposals as unworkable as they offered no realistic prospect of power-sharing or offered any role for the Irish Government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Events: The Northern Ireland Assembly, November 1982 to June 1986 - A Chronology of Main Events |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/assembly1982/chronology.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref>
In May of that year the SDLP secured a seat in [[Seanad Éireann]] as new Taoiseach [[Charles Haughey]] appointed SDLP Deputy Leader [[Seamus Mallon]] to serve as a voice for Northern nationalists.
As the elections to the Assembly approached the party announced that although it would contest the election, none of its representatives would take their seats. The [[1982 Northern Ireland Assembly election|election]], held on 20 October, mirrored the SDLP’s performance in the local elections the previous year as the party won 18.8% of the vote and took 14 seats. The decision by [[Sinn Féin]] to stand also had an impact on the SDLP vote as the party, considered to be the political wing of the Provisional IRA, took 10.1% of the vote and 5 seats.
As a result of Seamus Mallon’s membership of Seanad Éireann he was removed as a member of the Assembly and a by-election was held in [[Armagh (Assembly constituency)|Armagh]] the following spring. The SDLP called for a boycott and amidst low turnout the UUP won the election.
=== New Ireland Forum (1983–1984) ===
In the lead up to the 1982 Assembly election the SDLP proposed a “Council for a New Ireland” in its manifesto. This, with the assistance of the Irish Government, was realised in the creation of the [[New Ireland Forum]] in March 1983. It was a forum “all democratic parties which reject violence and which have members elected or appointed to either [[Oireachtas|House of the Oireachtas]] or the [[Northern Ireland Assembly (1982)|Northern Ireland Assembly]]”. The SDLP, along with [[Fianna Fáil]], [[Fine Gael]] and [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]] all joined. The Forum met for the first time on 30 May with five SDLP members: John Hume, Austin Currie, Joe Hendron, Eddie McGrady and Seamus Mallon.<ref>{{Cite news |title=New Ireland Forum helped begin process of changing hearts and minds |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/new-ireland-forum-helped-begin-process-of-changing-hearts-and-minds-1.2429143 |access-date=2023-10-26 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
Submissions were taken from sectors, individuals and organisations across the island of Ireland, examining the long-term future of the island. After a year of work the Forum published its report in May 1984, detailing three possible structures for a new Ireland. The three options of a unitary state, federal/confederal state and joint authority were rooted in previous SDLP policy and went on to influence the policies of the Irish Government and the major political parties in the Republic in relation to Northern Ireland in the following decade.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Issues: Politics: New Ireland Forum Report, 1984 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/nifr.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref>
In the general election in June 1983 the SDLP failed to regain the seat in Belfast West it had lost when Gerry Fitt resigned from the party. However, John Hume was elected to the House of Commons for the new constituency of [[Foyle (UK Parliament constituency)|Foyle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Westminster election 1983 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fw83.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref> The following year Hume also retained his seat in the European Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 1984 European Election |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fe84.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref>
=== Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985–1987) ===
Throughout the 1970s and 80s SDLP leader John Hume used his connections with influential Irish-American politicians Tip O'Neill, Ted Kennedy, Daniel Moynihan and Hugh Carey to push the SDLP’s analysis of the division and conflict on the island of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Maurice |title=John Hume in America: From Derry to DC |publisher=Irish Academic Press |year=2017 |isbn=978-1911024958}}</ref> The “Four Horsemen” and other senior politicians persuaded President Ronald Reagan to encourage British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to work with the Irish Government to agree a collective way forward. Negotiations began in early 1985 and concluded on 15 November with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McGarry |first1=John |title=The Northern Ireland Conflict: Consociational Engagements |last2=O'Leary |first2=Brendan |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2004}}</ref>
Although the agreement was supported by the SDLP, it faced considerable opposition from Unionist parties. Fifteen Unionist MPs resigned their Westminster seats forcing by-elections in January 1986. The SDLP targeted constituencies where support for the Anglo-Irish Agreement was strongest and subsequently managed to win Newry and Armagh, where deputy leader Seamus Mallon won the seat from the Ulster Unionists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Westminster By-Elections (NI) Thursday 23 January 1986 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rw1986.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref>
This success continued into the 1987 general election where the SDLP’s support for the agreement saw its vote rise to levels last seen when the party was first founded in the early 70s, mostly at the expense of Sinn Féin. In addition to holding both their current seats, Eddie McGrady won the seat of South Down from Enoch Powell, finally ending his political career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Westminster General Election (NI) Thursday 11 June 1987 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rw1987.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref>
=== Hume-Adams Talks (1988-1994) ===
In January 1988 SDLP Leader John Hume began a series of secret talks with Sinn Féin President [[Gerry Adams]] which lasted until August of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-04 |title=Hume-Adams talks laid the foundations of the peace process |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/08/04/news/hume-adams-talks-laid-the-foundations-of-the-peace-process-2025157/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref>
The following year local government elections were held. These elections saw the Party’s best result at a local election since its foundation, winning 21% of the vote and 121 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1989 |title=Results 1989 Northern Ireland Local General Election |url=https://www.eoni.org.uk/getmedia/c747b644-74fb-4401-a84f-1900f7818722/local_government_election_results_1989}}</ref> These came mostly at the expense of Sinn Féin, who voters began to turn away from following a number of IRA atrocities. In the European Election that June, John Hume increased the SDLP vote to 25%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 1989 European Election |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fe89.htm |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref> In April 1992 the SDLP reached their electoral high point, as [[Joe Hendron]] won the [[Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast West]] seat at the expense of Gerry Adams. The SDLP now had four MPs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-11-28 |title=Joe Hendron at 90: A fearless man with an extraordinary spirit |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comment/joe-hendron-at-90-a-fearless-man-with-an-extraordinary-spirit/42177716.html |access-date=2024-01-15 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
In late 1992, knowledge of talks between John Hume and Gerry Adams became public. The talks were criticised by many, both within the SDLP and outside. The talks would eventually lead to the [[Downing Street Declaration]] by British Prime Minister [[John Major]] and Taoiseach [[Albert Reynolds]], which laid the ground for a ceasefire and negotiations.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Stephen |title=John Hume: the Persuader |date=2023 |publisher=Gill Books |isbn=978-0-7171-9608-1 |edition=Erstausgabe |___location=Dublin}}</ref>
Throughout 1994, SDLP representatives continued to face attacks from paramilitaries, as loyalists burnt out Joe Hendron’s car while Councillor [[John Fee (politician)|John Fee]] was beaten by Republicans outside his home.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Roman Catholic councillor who publicly condemned an IRA... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/03/24/A-Roman-Catholic-councillor-who-publicly-condemned-an-IRA/4201764485200/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> On 31 August the IRA announced a ceasefire, followed shortly afterwards by the loyalist paramilitaries. Hume, Adams and Reynolds met in Dublin and publicly shook hands. The SDLP Leader called for peace negotiations to begin without delay.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-30 |title=IRA ceasefire remembered 25 years on |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2019/08/30/news/ira-ceasefire-remembered-25-years-on-1698831/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref>
=== Good Friday Agreement (1995-1998) ===
Throughout 1995 the SDLP continued to engage in talks with the Irish and British Governments, and with other political parties to establish formal all-party talks. They suggested appointing former US Senator [[George J. Mitchell|George Mitchell]] to oversee an international body on arms decommissioning. The [[Government of the United Kingdom|Government]] then established this body which produced the “[[Mitchell Principles]]” which parties will be required to meet if they were to enter talks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murray, Gerard. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1131510536 |title=Sinn Féin and the SDLP : from alienation to participation |date=2005 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=1-4039-6860-8 |oclc=1131510536}}</ref> Following this, the Prime Minister [[John Major]] announced details of an election to a [[Northern Ireland Forum|Forum]] which will comprise the parties involved in talks. The election took place in May 1996 where the SDLP took 24% of the vote and 21 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Forum Election (NI) Thursday 30 May 1996 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rf1996.htm |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref>
Leading up to the next general election there was some speculation on the SDLP forming an electoral pact with [[Sinn Féin]]. SDLP Leader [[John Hume]] stated that this would only be considered in the event of an [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] ceasefire and Sinn Féin agreeing to end their policy of [[abstentionism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sinn Fein Press Release |url=http://www.sinnfein.org/releases/pr021997.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.sinnfein.org}}</ref> The [[1997 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|May 1997]] election yielded mixed results for the SDLP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Westminster General Election (NI) Thursday 1 May 1997 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rw1997.htm |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref> The party increased its vote share to its highest ever level, however lost their seat in [[Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast West]] to Sinn Féin. In the [[1997 Northern Ireland local elections|local elections]] held a few weeks later the SDLP also increased its vote share but lost seven seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Government Elections 1997 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg97.htm |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}</ref> After the election [[Alban Maginness]] was appointed [[List of mayors of Belfast|Lord Mayor of Belfast]], becoming the first nationalist to hold this position.<ref>{{Cite web |last=agendaNi |date=2011-09-07 |title=Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee |url=https://www.agendani.com/enterprise-trade-and-investment-committee/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=agendaNi |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Following changes of government in [[Government of Ireland|Ireland]] and the [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK]] talks reconvened in autumn of 1997. The SDLP participated in these talks alongside other parties. Agreement was finally reached on 10 April 1998 when the SDLP, seven other parties, the British and Irish Governments signed the [[Good Friday Agreement]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=Good Friday Agreement {{!}} British-Irish Peace Process, 1998 Referendum {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Good-Friday-Agreement |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> In the subsequent referendum the SDLP campaigned for a “Yes” vote, with SDLP leader [[John Hume]] appearing onstage with [[U2]] frontman [[Bono]] and [[Ulster Unionist Party|UUP]] leader [[David Trimble]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailie |first=Stuart |title=On this day in 1998: U2, Ash, John Hume and David Trimble took part in the historic Good Friday Agreement gig in Belfast |url=https://www.hotpress.com/opinion/on-this-day-in-1998-u2-ash-john-hume-and-david-trimble-took-part-in-the-historic-good-friday-agreement-gig-in-belfast-22906975 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Hotpress}}</ref> The result was a resounding victory for the “Yes” campaign, who secured 71.12% in Northern Ireland. Both Hume and Trimble won the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] later that year for their efforts in securing the Agreement.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Nobel Peace Prize 1998 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1998/summary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522013700/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1998/summary/ |archive-date=22 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020 |website=NobelPrize.org}}</ref>
As a result of the Agreement, [[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|elections]] to a new [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] were held in June 1998; the SDLP emerged as the second-largest party overall, and the largest nationalist party, with 24 out of 108 seats.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whyte |first1=Nicholas |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm |website=Northern Ireland Elections |publisher=ARK |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308045247/https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The party was then returned to government later in the year when a [[consociationalism|power-sharing]] [[Northern Ireland Executive|Executive]] was established for Northern Ireland. The SDLP took office alongside the [[Ulster Unionist Party]] (UUP), the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] (DUP), and [[Sinn Féin]], and the SDLP's [[Seamus Mallon]] became [[First Minister and deputy First Minister|Deputy First Minister]] alongside the UUP's First Minister, [[David Trimble]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9807/01/n.ireland.assembly.02/index.html |title=Trimble, Mallon elected leaders of N. Irish Assembly |access-date=18 May 2020 |date=1 July 1998 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924192157/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9807/01/n.ireland.assembly.02/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Upon Mallon's retirement in 2001, [[Mark Durkan]] succeeded him as Deputy First Minister.
===All-island Merger===
There had been a debate in the party on the prospects of amalgamation with [[Fianna Fáil]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/northernirelandassembly/story/0,,2052641,00.html | work=The Guardian | ___location=London | title=SDLP could unite with Fianna Fáil | first=Henry | last=McDonald | date=8 April 2007 | access-date=23 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518060904/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/northernirelandassembly/story/0,,2052641,00.html | archive-date=18 May 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref> Little came of this speculation and former party leader [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]] rejected the idea. Speaking at the 2010 [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Irish Labour Party]] national conference in Galway she said that a merger would not happen while she was leader – "Merger with Fianna Fáil? Not on my watch."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0419/1224268629876.html | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=SDLP leader Ritchie rules out merger with Fianna Fáil | date=4 April 2010 | access-date=8 February 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201004146/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0419/1224268629876.html | archive-date=1 February 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> After his election as Fianna Fáil Leader in January 2011, [[Micheál Martin]] repeatedly dismissed the possibility of a merger or electoral alliance with the SDLP. In January 2019, the SDLP membership were e-mailed on the issue with the text "continuing on as normal is not an option", a reference to the party's declining fortunes.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.derrynow.com/news/sdlp-fianna-fail-merger-email-sent-sdlp-membership-says-continuing-normal-not-option/263793| work=Derry Now| title=SDLP-Fianna Fail 'merger': Email sent to SDLP membership says 'continuing on as normal is not an option'| date=4 January 2019| access-date=5 January 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105201546/https://www.derrynow.com/news/sdlp-fianna-fail-merger-email-sent-sdlp-membership-says-continuing-normal-not-option/263793| archive-date=5 January 2019| url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2019, at a special party conference, the members approved a partnership with [[Fianna Fáil]],<ref name="FFpart">{{cite news|date=9 February 2019|title=SDLP members back Fianna Fáil partnership|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47179888|url-status=live|access-date=11 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210020638/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47179888|archive-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> the main opposition party in the Republic of Ireland. Both parties shared policies on key areas, including addressing the current political situation in Northern Ireland, improving public services in both jurisdictions of Ireland, such as healthcare and education, and bringing about further unity and co-operation of the people on the island and arrangements for a future poll on [[Irish reunification]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sluggerotoole.com/2019/01/24/fianna-fail-and-sdlp-announce-joint-partnership/ |title=Fianna Fail and SDLP announce joint partnership |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125230456/https://sluggerotoole.com/2019/01/24/fianna-fail-and-sdlp-announce-joint-partnership/ |archive-date=25 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Claire Hanna]], MLA for [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] and party spokesperson on Brexit, quit the assembly group as a result.<ref>{{cite news |title=Claire Hanna quits SDLP assembly group |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47200039 |access-date=11 February 2019 |publisher=BBC News |date=11 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212032855/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47200039 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the lead up to the [[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2022 Assembly election]], party leader [[Colum Eastwood]] played down the partnership stating, "The SDLP stands on its own two feet."<ref>{{Cite news|title=SDLP leader Colum Eastwood: 'Sinn Fein are focused on themselves and on securing jobs for their friends'|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/northern-ireland-assembly-elections-2022/sdlps-colum-eastwood-sf-are-focused-on-themselves-and-on-securing-jobs-for-their-friends-41354844.html|access-date=2022-02-21|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> This led people to commentate that the partnership is no longer active, with comments from as early as 2020 determining that it had been "quietly forgotten".<ref>{{cite tweet|title="The SDLP stands on its own two feet." Not that it's new but confirmation that the partnership with FF is dead in the water from the pro side of the SDLP.|number=1494245053941919745|author=David McCann|user=@dmcbfs|date=2022-02-17|access-date=2022-02-21||language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author-first=Aoife |author-last=Moore|date=2022-02-20|title=Future of SDLP Fianna Fáil alliance unclear|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40812633.html|access-date=2022-02-21|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Brendan|date=2020-02-10|title=The SDLP-Fianna Fáil partnership one year on: Historic change or quietly forgotten?|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/politicalnews/2020/02/10/news/the-sdlp-fianna-fa-il-partnership-one-year-on-historic-change-or-quietly-forgotten--1837864/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=The Irish News|language=en}}</ref> The partnership officially ended on 28 September 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Breen |first1=Suzanne |title=SDLP ends three-year partnership with Fianna Fail as party examines poor Assembly election results |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sdlp-ends-three-year-partnership-with-fianna-fail-as-party-examines-poor-assembly-election-results-42025139.html |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=28 September 2022}}</ref>
===Westminster Parliament===
In contrast to [[Sinn Féin]], which follows a policy of [[abstentionism]], the SDLP MPs have always taken their seat in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster parliament]]. The party's first MP was leader [[Gerry Fitt]] who was already a sitting MP when the SDLP was founded.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerry Fitt |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/profiles/fitt-gerry/ |website=RTÉ Archives |publisher=RTÉ |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516184817/https://www.rte.ie/archives/profiles/fitt-gerry/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The SDLP's best result was in [[1992 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1992 general election]] when they won four out of 17 seats. Its worst result was in [[2017 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2017]] when they lost all their seats. In [[2019 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2019]] they won two seats.
Although not abstentionist, SDLP MPs have protested the [[Oath of Allegiance (United Kingdom)|parliamentary oath]] required of every member of parliament. At the swearing in ceremony after the 2019 general election, the party leader [[Colum Eastwood]] said:
:"Under protest and in order to represent my constituency, I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. My true allegiance is to the people of Derry and the people of Ireland."<ref>{{cite news |title=SDLP leader Colum Eastwood affirms allegiance to Queen 'under protest' |author=Andrew Madden |date=19 December 2019 |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/general-election-2019/sdlp-leader-colum-eastwood-affirms-allegiance-to-queen-under-protest-38799446.html |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112050626/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/general-election-2019/sdlp-leader-colum-eastwood-affirms-allegiance-to-queen-under-protest-38799446.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Proposed Dáil participation===
The SDLP, along with Sinn Féin, have long sought speaking rights in [[Dáil Éireann]], the [[lower house]] of the Republic's [[Oireachtas|parliament]]. In 2005, [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]], leader of [[Fianna Fáil]], put forward a proposal to allow MPs and MEPs from Northern Ireland to participate in debates on the region. However, the plan was met with vociferous opposition from the Republic's main opposition parties, [[Fine Gael]] and the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]], and was subsequently shelved.<ref name="ill">[https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ahern-proposal-on-mps-ill-advised-1.1261957 Ahern proposal on MPs ill-advised] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081817/https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ahern-proposal-on-mps-ill-advised-1.1261957 |date=22 March 2018 }}, ''[[Irish Times]]'', 29 October 2005</ref> Unionists had also strongly opposed the proposal.<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ahern-plan-to-give-north-mps-dail-rights-rejected-1.511570 Ahern plan to give North MPs Dail rights rejected] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081757/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ahern-plan-to-give-north-mps-dail-rights-rejected-1.511570 |date=22 March 2018 }}, ''[[Irish Times]]'', 28 October 2005</ref>
===Remembrance Day 2010===
On [[Remembrance Day]] in 2010, party leader [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick|Margaret Ritchie]] became the first leader of a nationalist party to wear a poppy while attending a wreath-laying ceremony in [[Downpatrick]], [[County Down]]. The poppy is worn on the lapel in the [[United Kingdom]] as a mark of respect and remembrance for fallen British soldiers in the period around Remembrance Day and is controversial in Northern Ireland, as it is viewed by many as a political symbol representing support for the [[British Army]].<ref name="BT1">{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/thousands-gather-to-remember-war-dead-14555647.html |title=Thousands gather to remember war dead |work=The Belfast Telegraph |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017094218/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/thousands-gather-to-remember-war-dead-14555647.html |archive-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Because of this, it has long been the preserve of the [[Unionism in Ireland|unionist]]/[[Ulster loyalism|loyalist]] community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/unionloyal.htm |title=CAIN: Symbols – Unionist and Loyalist |publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk |access-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806181854/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/unionloyal.htm |archive-date=6 August 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her actions drew praise from unionists.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11733457 "SDLP Leader Ritchie to wear Poppy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104053018/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11733457 |date=4 January 2018 }}, [[BBC News]]</ref><ref>[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/decision-to-wear-poppy-lsquodifficultrsquo-for-sdlp-leader-margaret-ritchie-15004207.html "Decision to wear poppy difficult for SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017094143/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/decision-to-wear-poppy-lsquodifficultrsquo-for-sdlp-leader-margaret-ritchie-15004207.html |date=17 October 2012 }}, ''[[The Belfast Telegraph]]''</ref><ref>[http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Ritchie39s-poppy-move-39is-a.6627303.jp "Ritchie's Poppy Move 'Is a major breakthrough'"] ''The Newsletter''</ref>
===Leadership challenges and elections, 2011–2024===
On 27 July 2011, it was reported that Margaret Ritchie faced a leadership challenge from deputy leader [[Patsy McGlone]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14316761 | publisher=BBC News | title=Margaret Ritchie: SDLP leader 'to face challenge' | date=27 July 2011 | access-date=21 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123225708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14316761 | archive-date=23 November 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Phoenix (magazine)|The Phoenix]]'' reported that only one [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)|MLA]], [[Alex Attwood]] was prepared to back her and that "she will be humiliated if she puts her leadership to a vote".<ref>[http://www.thephoenix.ie/phoenix/subscriber/library/volume-29/issue-16/contents.pdf "Bird's Eye View Patsy McGlone's Leadership Strike"], The Phoenix Magazine, 12 – 25 August 2011, pg 8</ref>
Alasdair McDonnell was confirmed as Ritchie's successor after the subsequent leadership election on 5 November 2011.<ref name="BBC Alasdair McDonnellelected new SDLP leader">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15607201 |title=Alasdair McDonnellelected new SDLP leader |date=5 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=5 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105172802/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15607201 |archive-date=5 November 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Colum Eastwood]] challenged McDonnell and replaced him as leader after the party's [[2015 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election|2015 leadership election]].<ref name="bbcnews2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34822651|title=SDLP leadership: Colum Eastwood wins contest against Alasdair McDonnell|date=14 November 2015|publisher=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114234835/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34822651|archive-date=14 November 2015|access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref>
Eastwood stood down as leader in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjwn0dpwnro | title=Colum Eastwood: 'It is time for me to step aside' | date=28 August 2024 }}</ref> Deputy leader [[Claire Hanna]], was selected to replace Eastwood during the [[2024 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election|2024 leadership election]] when she ran unopposed. Ratification for the new party leadership will take place at a conference in October 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-06 |title=Claire Hanna set to become SDLP leader |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2024/0906/1468757-sdlp-leader/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=RTÉ News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McGovern |first=Eimear |date=2024-09-06 |title=Claire Hanna is sole nominee for SDLP leadership |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/claire-hanna-is-sole-nominee-for-sdlp-leadership/a1309530790.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref>
== Ideology and policies ==
The SDLP is a [[Social democracy|social democratic]] party that opposes [[austerity]] and [[Brexit]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-12-04|title=General election 2019: A simple guide to the SDLP|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50315252|access-date=2020-12-22|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622144410/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50315252|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also an [[Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist]] party advocating for a shared home place for all the people on the island of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Building a New Ireland Together|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/building_a_new_ireland_together|access-date=2021-10-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}</ref>
While the party is officially [[anti-abortion]], it does not apply a party whip on the issue.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Amanda|___location=Belfast|title=Abortion in Northern Ireland: Where do the parties stand?|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/abortion-in-northern-ireland-where-do-the-parties-stand-1.3522879|access-date=2021-12-21|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref> The party supports [[LGBT]] rights including [[marriage equality]], the roll out of [[Pre-exposure prophylaxis|PrEP]] across Northern Ireland and LGBT education in schools. The SDLP is anti-xenophobic and opposes plans to create what it deems a hostile environment for immigrants.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Fairer Society|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/fighting_for_human_rights|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}</ref> The party also supports an [[Irish Language Act|Irish language act]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=petebkr|date=2018-04-09|title=SDLP reaffirms commitment to an Irish Language Act|url=https://patsymcglone.com/2018/04/09/sdlp-reaffirms-commitment-to-an-irish-language-act/|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Your MLA|language=en}}</ref>
The SDLP believes that 3,000 [[Public housing in the United Kingdom|social and affordable houses]] should be built every year. They oppose the gig economy and [[zero-hour contract]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Justice|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/social_justice|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}</ref> The party opposes welfare reform and the cut to [[Universal Credit|universal credit]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-05-22|title=Welfare reform: SDLP 'cannot accommodate' welfare proposals|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-32853348|access-date=2021-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=SDLP launches 'Give it Back' campaign to retain £20 Universal Credit uplift|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/_sdlp_launches_give_it_back_campaign_to_retain_20_universal_credit_uplift|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}</ref>
Despite opposing [[academic selection]], the party does not advocate the abolition of [[grammar school]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=SDLP MLA Colin McGrath: 'When I was 10 my sister died. She was 16 and was gone within two days'|language=en-GB|last=Deeney|first=Donna|date=16 October 2017|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sdlp-mla-colin-mcgrath-when-i-was-10-my-sister-died-she-was-16-and-was-gone-within-two-days-36228961.html|access-date=22 December 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The party supports the abolition of [[tuition fees]]. It wants to make a modern language up to [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSE]] and the teaching of maths up to the age of 18 compulsory.
The party believes that the [[Magee College|Magee campus]] in [[Derry]] should be expanded to 10,000 student places.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Education|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/education|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}</ref>
The party supports a [[Carbon tax|green corporate levy]] on businesses who contribute large amounts of [[greenhouse gas]]es and a green jobs strategy. They also believe that a [[Climate emergency declaration|climate emergency]] should be declared and the government should be required to reach [[Carbon neutrality|net zero emissions]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=cassoscoop|date=2021-06-16|title=Eastwood brings Climate and Green Bill to Westminster|url=https://www.derrydaily.net/2021/06/16/eastwood-brings-climate-and-green-bill-to-westminster/|access-date=2021-12-23|website=Derry Daily|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Leadership==
[[Claire Hanna]] is the seventh leader of the SDLP, taking over from [[Colum Eastwood]] in 2024.
===List of leaders===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! No.
! colspan="2" | Leader<br /><small>(birth–death)</small>
! Constituency
! Took office
! Left office
|-
|1
| [[Gerry Fitt]]<br /><small>(1926–2005)</small>
| [[File:No_image.png|100x100px]]<!--DO NOT ADD A NON-FREE IMAGE FOR THIS PERSON - ONLY FREELY LICENCED IMAGES ARE ALLOWED FOR LISTS. SEE WP:NFLISTS-->
| [[Parliament of Northern Ireland|MP (Parliament of Northern Ireland)]] for [[Belfast Dock (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)|Belfast Dock]] ([[1962 Northern Ireland general election|1962]]–[[House of Commons of Northern Ireland#The end|1972]])<br />[[Parliament of the United Kingdom|MP (UK Parliament)]] for [[Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast West]] ([[1966 United Kingdom general election|1966]]–[[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]])
| 21 August 1970
| 22 November 1979
|-
|2
| [[John Hume]]<br /><small>(1937–2020)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =John Hume, 1994 (cropped) 2.jpg|bSize = 110|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 3}}
| MP (Parliament of Northern Ireland) for [[Foyle (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)|Foyle]] ([[1969 Northern Ireland general election|1969]]–[[House of Commons of Northern Ireland#The end|1972]])<br />[[European Parliament|MEP]] for [[Northern Ireland (European Parliament constituency)|Northern Ireland]] ([[1979 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|1979]]–[[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|2004]])<br />MP (UK Parliament) for [[Foyle (UK Parliament constituency)|Foyle]] ([[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]]–[[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]])<br />[[Northern Ireland Assembly|MLA]] for [[Foyle (Assembly constituency)|Foyle]] ([[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]–2000)
| 28 November 1979<br /><small>(acting from 22 November 1979)</small>
| 11 November 2001
|-
|3
| [[Mark Durkan]]<br /><small>(b. 1960)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =MarkDurkan.jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Foyle (Assembly constituency)|Foyle]] ([[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]–2010)<br />MP for [[Foyle (UK Parliament constituency)|Foyle]] ([[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]–[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]])
| 11 November 2001
| 7 February 2010
|-
|4
| [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick|Margaret Ritchie]]<br /><small>(b. 1958)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Official portrait of Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick crop 2.jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[South Down (Assembly constituency)|South Down]] ([[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003]]–2012)<br />MP for [[South Down (UK Parliament constituency)|South Down]] ([[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]–[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]])
| 7 February 2010<br /><small>''([[2010 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election|elected]])''</small>
| 5 November 2011
|-
|5
| [[Alasdair McDonnell]]<br /><small>(b. 1949)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Alasdair McDonnell MP.JPG|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] ([[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]–2015)<br />MP for [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South]] ([[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]–[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]])
| 5 November 2011<br /><small>''([[2011 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election|elected]])''</small>
| 14 November 2015
|-
|6
| [[Colum Eastwood]]<br /><small>(b. 1983)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Colum Eastwood MLA.JPG|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Foyle (Assembly constituency)|Foyle]] ([[2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2011]]–2019)<br />MP for [[Foyle (UK Parliament constituency)|Foyle]] (from [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]])
| 14 November 2015<br /><small>''([[2015 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election|elected]])''</small>
| 5 October 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-28 |title=Colum Eastwood: 'It is time for me to step aside' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjwn0dpwnro |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|7
|[[Claire Hanna]]<br /><small>(b. 1980)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Official portrait of Claire Hanna MP crop 2.jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] (2015–2019)<br />MP for [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South]] ([[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]]–[[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]])<br />MP for [[Belfast South and Mid Down (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South and Mid Down]] ([[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]–present)
|5 October 2024<br /><small>''([[2024 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election|elected]])''</small>
|incumbent
|}
===List of deputy leaders===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! No.
! colspan="2" | Deputy leader<br /><small>(birth–death)</small>
! Constituency
! Took office
! Left office
! Leader
|-
|1
| [[John Hume]]<br /><small>(1937–2020)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =John Hume 2008.jpg|bSize = 110|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 6}}
| MP (Parliament of Northern Ireland) for [[Foyle (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)|Foyle]] ([[1969 Northern Ireland general election|1969]]–[[House of Commons of Northern Ireland#The end|1972]])<br />[[European Parliament|MEP]] for [[Northern Ireland (European Parliament constituency)|Northern Ireland]] ([[1979 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|1979]]–[[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|2004]])<br />MP (UK Parliament) for [[Foyle (UK Parliament constituency)|Foyle]] ([[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]]–[[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]])<br />[[Northern Ireland Assembly|MLA]] for [[Foyle (Assembly constituency)|Foyle]] ([[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]–2000)
| 21 August 1970
| 28 November 1979
|[[Gerry Fitt]]
|-
|2
| [[Seamus Mallon]]<br /><small>(1936–2020)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Seamus Mallon, 1998 (cropped).jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MP for [[Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|Newry and Armagh]] ([[1986 Newry and Armagh by-election|1986]]–[[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]])<br />MLA for [[Newry and Armagh (Assembly constituency)|Newry and Armagh]] ([[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]–[[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003]])
| 28 November 1979
| 11 November 2001
|[[John Hume]]
|-
|3
| [[Bríd Rodgers]]<br /><small>(b. 1935)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Rodgers33.jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Upper Bann (Assembly constituency)|Upper Bann]] ([[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]–[[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003]])
| 11 November 2001
| 22 February 2004
| rowspan="2" |[[Mark Durkan]]
|-
|4
| [[Alasdair McDonnell]]<br /><small>(b. 1949)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Alasdair McDonnell MP.JPG|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] ([[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]–2015)<br />MP for [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South]] ([[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]–[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]])
| 22 February 2004
| 7 November 2010
|-
|5
| [[Patsy McGlone]]<br /><small>(b. 1959)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Patsy McGlone.jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Mid-Ulster (Assembly constituency)|Mid-Ulster]] (from [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003]])
| 7 February 2010
| 5 November 2011
|[[Margaret Ritchie (politician)|Margaret Ritchie]]
|-
|6
| [[Dolores Kelly]]<br /><small>(b. 1959)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Dolores Kelly MLA.JPG|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Upper Bann (Assembly constituency)|Upper Bann]] ([[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003]]–[[2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2016]]; [[2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2017]]–[[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2022]])
| 5 November 2011
| 14 November 2015
|[[Alasdair McDonnell]]
|-
|7
| [[Fearghal McKinney]]<br /><small>(b. 1962)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Fearghal McKinney MLA.jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] (2013–[[2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2016]])
| 14 November 2015
| 5 May 2016
| rowspan="4" |[[Colum Eastwood]]
|-
| colspan="6" |''Position Vacant''
|-
|8
| [[Nichola Mallon]]<br /><small>(b. 1979)</small>
|{{CSS image crop|Image =Nichola Mallon - SDLP Lord Mayor of Belfast.jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 133|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| MLA for [[Belfast North (Assembly constituency)|Belfast North]] ([[2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2016]]–[[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2022]])
| 12 September 2017
| 5 May 2022
|-
| colspan="6" |''Position Vacant''
|-
! colspan="7" |''Position Abolished''
|}
==Elected representatives==
The SDLP currently have two MPs in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]], seven MLAs in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] and 37 councillors across Northern Ireland's [[Local government in Northern Ireland|11 councils]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SDLP Leader announces changes to Front Bench Team |url=https://www.sdlp.ie/sdlp_leader_announces_changes_to_front_bench_team |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Social Democratic and Labour Party |language=en}}</ref>
{{Infobox political party
| country =
| name = Northern Ireland council seats
| native_name =
| colorcode = {{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}
| seats1_title = [[Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council]]
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats2_title = [[Ards and North Down Borough Council]]
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats3_title = [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council]]
| seats3 = {{Composition bar|1|41|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats4_title = [[Belfast City Council]]
| seats4 = {{Composition bar|5|60|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats5_title = [[Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council]]
| seats5 = {{Composition bar|3|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats6_title = [[Derry City and Strabane District Council]]
| seats6 = {{Composition bar|8|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats7_title = [[Fermanagh and Omagh District Council]]
| seats7 = {{Composition bar|3|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats8_title = [[Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council]]
| seats8 = {{Composition bar|2|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats9_title = [[Mid and East Antrim Borough Council]]
| seats9 = {{Composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats10_title = [[Mid Ulster District Council]]
| seats10 = {{Composition bar|5|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| seats11_title = [[Newry, Mourne and Down District Council]]
| seats11 = {{Composition bar|8|41|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
}}
===MPs===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! MP
! Constituency
! Period
! Notes
|-
| [[Colum Eastwood]]
| [[Foyle (UK Parliament constituency)|Foyle]]
| [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]]–present
| Spokesperson for a New Ireland; [[Foyle (Assembly constituency)|Foyle]] MLA [[2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2011]]–2019
|-
| [[Claire Hanna]]
| [[Belfast South and Mid Down (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South and Mid Down]]
| [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]–present
| SDLP Leader; Spokesperson for Europe and International Affairs; [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]] MLA 2015–2019; [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|Belfast South]] MP 2019–2024
|}
===MLAs===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! MLA
! Constituency
! Period
! Notes
|-
| [[Mark H. Durkan]]
| [[Foyle (Assembly constituency)|Foyle]]
| [[2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2011]]–present
| Spokesperson for Climate Change and Infrastructure
|-
| [[Cara Hunter]]
| [[East Londonderry (Assembly constituency)|East Londonderry]]
| 2020–present
| Spokesperson for Children and Young People
|-
| [[Daniel McCrossan]]
| [[West Tyrone (Assembly constituency)|West Tyrone]]
| 2015–present
| SDLP Chairperson; Spokesperson for Social Justice
|-
| [[Patsy McGlone]]
| [[Mid Ulster (Assembly constituency)|Mid Ulster]]
| [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003]]–present
| Spokesperson for Rural Communities
|-
| [[Colin McGrath]]
| [[South Down (Assembly constituency)|South Down]]
| [[2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2016]]–present
| SDLP Chief Whip; Spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing
|-
| [[Sinead McLaughlin]]
| [[Foyle (Assembly constituency)|Foyle]]
| 2020–present
| Spokesperson for Jobs, the Economy and Justice
|-
| [[Justin McNulty]]
| [[Newry and Armagh (Assembly constituency)|Newry and Armagh]]
| [[2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2016]]–present
| Spokesperson for Reconciliation and Sport
|-
| [[Matthew O'Toole]]
| [[Belfast South (Assembly constituency)|Belfast South]]
| 2020–present
| [[Leader of the Opposition (Northern Ireland)|Leader of the Opposition]]; Spokesperson for the Cost of Living Crisis
|}
=== Other spokespeople ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Councillor
! District
! DEA
! Notes
|-
| Joe Boyle
| [[Ards and North Down Borough Council|Ards and North Down]]
| [[Ards Peninsula (District Electoral Area)|Ards Peninsuala]]
| Spokesperson for rural transport
|-
| Pete Byrne
| [[Newry, Mourne and Down District Council|Newry, Mourne and Down]]
| [[Slieve Gullion (District Electoral Area)|Slieve Gullion]]
| Spokesperson for all-island rail
|-
| Laura Devlin
| [[Newry, Mourne and Down District Council|Newry, Mourne and Down]]
| [[The Mournes (District Electoral Area)|The Mournes]]
| Spokesperson for tourism and hospitality
|-
| Paul Doherty
| [[Belfast City Council|Belfast]]
| [[Black Mountain (District Electoral Area)|Black Mountain]]
|Spokesperson for ending poverty
|-
| Adam Gannon
| [[Fermanagh and Omagh District Council|Fermanagh and Omagh]]
| [[Erne West (District Electoral Area)|Erne West]]
| Spokesperson for education reform
|-
|Roisin Lynch
|[[Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council|Antrim and Newtownabbey]]
|[[Antrim (District Electoral Area)|Antrim]]
|Spokesperson for rural isolation and loneliness
|-
| Dónal Lyons
| [[Belfast City Council|Belfast]]
| [[Balmoral (District Electoral Area)|Balmoral]]
| Spokesperson for heritage, culture and arts
|-
|Kerri Martin
|[[Mid Ulster District Council|Mid Ulster]]
|[[Cookstown (District Electoral Area)|Cookstown]]
|Spokesperson for community integration
|-
|Gary McKeown
|[[Belfast City Council|Belfast]]
|[[Botanic (District Electoral Area)|Botanic]]
|Spokesperson for climate emergency and net zero
|-
|Margaret Anne McKillop
|[[Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council|Causeway Coast and Glens]]
|[[The Glens (District Electoral Area)|The Glens]]
|Spokesperson for rural opportunities
|-
|Malachy Quinn
|[[Mid Ulster District Council|Mid Ulster]]
|[[Torrent (District Electoral Area)|Torrent]]
|Spokesperson for regional investment
|-
|Ashleen Schenning
|[[Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council|Causeway Coast and Glens]]
|[[Limavady (District Electoral Area)|Limavady]]
|Spokesperson for training and skills
|-
|Gareth Sharvin
|[[Newry, Mourne and Down District Council|Newry, Mourne and Down]]
|[[Downpatrick (District Electoral Area)|Downpatrick]]
|Spokesperson for equalities
|-
|Brian Tierney
|[[Derry City and Strabane District Council|Derry City and Strabane]]
|[[Ballyarnett (District Electoral Area)|Ballyarnett]]
|Spokesperson for university expansion
|-
|Carl Whyte
|[[Belfast City Council|Belfast]]
|[[Castle (District Electoral Area)|Castle]]
|Spokesperson for health service reform
|}
==Electoral performance==
Upon its formation, the SDLP quickly established itself as the second largest party and the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland. It largely held this position until the beginning of the 21st century. In the [[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998 Assembly election]], it became the biggest party overall in terms of votes received and the first nationalist party to do so. This would be the largest seat share it would ever hold as it slowly saw declining support following the retirement of [[John Hume]] in 2001.
Under leader [[Mark Durkan]], the [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]] and the [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003 Assembly election]] saw fellow Irish nationalist party [[Sinn Féin]] win more seats and votes than the SDLP for the first time, a position they would continue to hold. In the [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2004 European elections]], Hume stood down and the SDLP failed to retain the seat he had held since 1979, losing it to [[Sinn Féin]]. [[Alban Maginness]] attempted to take the seat again in the [[2009 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2009 European elections]] the party fielded as their candidate and failed to gain a seat with 78,489 first preference votes.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8089501.stm|title= Sinn Féin tops poll in Euro count-BBC News|date= 8 June 2009|access-date= 27 March 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140518085201/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8089501.stm|archive-date= 18 May 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> The party further declined in the [[2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2011 Assembly elections]] and the [[2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2016 Assembly election]], as the total number of votes received continued to drop.
The [[2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2017 Assembly election]] saw the party retain its 12-seat count from the prior election, increasing its seat share due to a drop in the size of the assembly for the first time since 1998. This was followed by the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] where the SDLP lost all three seats and returned its worst ever vote share. In the [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2019 European election]], the final in the United Kingdom's history, party leader [[Colum Eastwood]] ran, increasing his party's vote but failing to take a seat. In the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|general election]] later that year the party recaptured Belfast South and Foyle with the highest ever vote recorded for the party in both constituencies and managed to increase its vote across Northern Ireland to its highest in almost fifteen years for a general election. The two seats held by the party currently have the largest majorities of any constituencies in Northern Ireland.
In the [[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2022 Assembly election]], the SDLP slipped to the 5th largest party with only eight seats in the Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Election Results 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2022/northern-ireland/results |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Some see the SDLP as first and foremost a party now representing [[Catholic]] middle-class interests, with voters concentrated in rural areas and the professional classes, rather than a vehicle for Irish nationalism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sluggerotoole.com/2022/04/14/why-are-the-sdlp-doing-so-badly-in-the-polls/|title=Why are the SDLP doing so badly in the polls?|first=Joshua|last=Murray|date=14 April 2022|website=Slugger O'Toole}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://bylinetimes.com/2023/03/27/is-northern-irelands-sdlp-here-to-stay/|title=Is Northern Ireland's SDLP Here to Stay?|last=DeSouza|first=Emma|date=27 March 2023|work=[[Byline Times]]}}</ref> The SDLP reject this argument, pointing to their strong support in [[Derry]] and their victory in [[Belfast South (UK Parliament constituency)|South Belfast]] in the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 Westminster election]]. Furthermore, in the lead up to that election, they published a document outlining their plans for a politically united Ireland. Their decline in Northern Ireland outside of two particular strongholds had led some to dub the party, the "South Down and Londonderry Party".<ref>{{cite web |title=Deal with devil small price to pay to snub the snobs |first=Newton |last=Emerson |date=30 March 2007 |url=http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/irish_news/arts2007/mar29_deal_with_devil_small_price__NEmerson.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822083922/http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/irish_news/arts2007/mar29_deal_with_devil_small_price__NEmerson.php |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=4 August 2016 |publisher=Nuzhound}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/apr/09/northernireland|title=A consensus on crowing|last=Patterson|first=Glenn|date=9 April 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref>
===Devolved legislature elections===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:97; text-align:center;"
|-
! Election
! Leader
! Body
! Votes
! %
! Seats
! +/–
! Position
! Status
|-
! [[1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1973]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Gerry Fitt]]
| {{sort|09|[[Northern Ireland Assembly (1973)|Assembly]]}}
| 159,773
| 22.1
| {{Composition bar|19|78|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 19
| {{increase}} 2nd
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
! [[Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention#Election results|1975]]
| [[List of members of the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention|Constitutional<br/> Convention]]
| 156,049
| 23.7
| {{Composition bar|17|78|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{steady}} 2nd
| {{no result|Consultative}}
|-
! [[1982 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1982]]
| rowspan="3" |[[John Hume]]
| [[Northern Ireland Assembly (1982)|Assembly]]
| 118,891
| 18.8
| {{Composition bar|14|78|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{decrease}} 3rd
| {{shade|color=blue|50|Abstention}}
|-
! [[Northern Ireland Forum#Results|1996]]
| [[Northern Ireland Forum|Forum]]
| 160,786
| 21.4
| {{Composition bar|21|110|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 7
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no result|Consultative}}
|-
! [[1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election|1998]]
| rowspan=7 | [[Northern Ireland Assembly|Assembly]]
| 177,963
| 22.0
| {{Composition bar|24|108|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 3
| {{increase}} 2nd
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
! [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003]]
| rowspan=2 |[[Mark Durkan]]
| 117,547
| 17.0
| {{Composition bar|18|108|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 6
| {{decrease}} 4th
| {{no result|Direct rule}}
|-
! [[2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2007]]
| 105,164
| 15.2
| {{Composition bar|16|108|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{steady}} 4th
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
! [[2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2011]]
| [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick|Margaret Ritchie]]
| 94,286
| 14.2
| {{Composition bar|14|108|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{steady}} 4th
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
! [[2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2016]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Colum Eastwood]]
| 83,364
| 12.0
| {{Composition bar|12|108|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{steady}} 4th
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2017 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2017]]
| 95,958
| 11.9
| {{Composition bar|12|90|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{increase}} 3rd
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
! [[2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2022]]
| 78,237
| 9.1
| {{Composition bar|8|90|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 4
| {{decrease}} 5th
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|}
===Westminster elections===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2 | Election
! rowspan=2 | Leader
! rowspan=2 | Votes
! colspan=2 | %
! rowspan=2 | Seats<br/>{{abbr|(NI)|Northern Ireland}}
! rowspan=2 | +/–
! rowspan=2 | Position
! rowspan=2 | Status
|-
! {{abbr|NI|Northern Ireland}}
! {{abbr|UK|United Kingdom}}
|-
! [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|Feb 1974]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Gerry Fitt]]
| 160,137
| 22.4
| 0.5
| {{Composition bar|1|12|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
| {{increase}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|Oct 1974]]
| 154,193
| 22.0
| 0.6
| {{Composition bar|1|12|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[1979 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1979]]
| 126,325
| 18.2
| 0.4
| {{Composition bar|1|12|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[1983 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1983]]
| rowspan="5" |[[John Hume]]
| 137,012
| 17.9
| 0.4
| {{Composition bar|1|17|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[1987 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1987]]
| 154,067
| 21.1
| 0.5
| {{Composition bar|3|17|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 2
| {{increase}} 2nd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[1992 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1992]]
| 184,445
| 23.5
| 0.5
| {{Composition bar|4|17|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
| {{steady}} 2nd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[1997 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|1997]]
| 190,814
| 24.1
| 0.6
| {{Composition bar|3|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{steady}} 2nd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2001 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2001]]
| 169,865
| 21.0
| 0.6
| {{Composition bar|3|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{decrease}} 4th
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2005 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2005]]
| [[Mark Durkan]]
| 125,626
| 17.5
| 0.5
| {{Composition bar|3|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{increase}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2010 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2010]]
| [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick|Margaret Ritchie]]
| 110,970
| 16.5
| 0.4
| {{Composition bar|3|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2015 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2015]]
| [[Alasdair McDonnell]]
| 99,809
| 13.9
| 0.3
| {{Composition bar|3|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2017 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2017]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Colum Eastwood]]
| 95,419
| 11.7
| 0.3
| {{Composition bar|0|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2019 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2019]]
| 118,737
| 14.9
| 0.4
| {{Composition bar|2|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 2
| {{increase}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
! [[2024 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland|2024]]
| 86,861
| 11.1
| 0.3
| {{Composition bar|2|18|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 3rd
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|}
===Local government elections===
{|class="wikitable" style=text-align:center; font-size:97%;"
! Election
! Leader
! 1st pref. <br />votes
! %
! Seats
! +/−
! Position
|-
! [[1973 Northern Ireland local elections|1973]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Gerry Fitt]]
| 92,600
| 13.4
| {{Composition bar|82|517|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 82
| {{increase}} 2nd
|-
! [[1977 Northern Ireland local elections|1977]]
| 114,775
| 20.6
| {{Composition bar|113|526|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 31
| {{steady}} 2nd
|-
! [[1981 Northern Ireland local elections|1981]]
| rowspan="6" |[[John Hume]]
| 116,487
| 17.5
| {{Composition bar|104|526|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 9
| {{decrease}} 3rd
|-
! [[1985 Northern Ireland local elections|1985]]
| 113,967
| 17.8
| {{Composition bar|102|565|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{steady}} 3rd
|-
! [[1989 Northern Ireland local elections|1989]]
| 129,557
| 21.0
| {{Composition bar|121|565|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 19
| {{increase}} 2nd
|-
! [[1993 Northern Ireland local elections|1993]]
| 136,760
| 22.0
| {{Composition bar|127|582|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 6
| {{steady}} 2nd
|-
! [[1997 Northern Ireland local elections|1997]]
| 130,387
| 21.0
| {{Composition bar|120|575|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 7
| {{steady}} 2nd
|-
! [[2001 Northern Ireland local elections|2001]]
| 153,424
| 19.0
| {{Composition bar|117|582|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 3
| {{decrease}} 3rd
|-
! [[2005 Northern Ireland local elections|2005]]
| [[Mark Durkan]]
| 121,991
| 17.4
| {{Composition bar|101|582|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 16
| {{decrease}} 4th
|-
! [[2011 Northern Ireland local elections|2011]]
| [[Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick|Margaret Ritchie]]
| 99,325
| 15.0
| {{Composition bar|87|583|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 14
| {{steady}} 4th
|-
! [[2014 Northern Ireland local elections|2014]]
| [[Alasdair McDonnell]]
| 85,237
| 13.6
| {{Composition bar|66|462|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 21
| {{steady}} 4th
|-
! [[2019 Northern Ireland local elections|2019]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Colum Eastwood]]
| 81,419
| 12.0
| {{Composition bar|59|462|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 7
| {{steady}} 4th
|-
! [[2023 Northern Ireland local elections|2023]]
| 64,996
| 8.7
| {{Composition bar|39|462|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 20
| {{decrease}} 5th
|}
===European Parliament elections===
{|class="wikitable" style=text-align:center; font-size:97%;"
! Election
! Leader
! 1st pref. <br />votes
! %
! Seats
! +/−
! Position
|-
! [[1979 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|1979]]
| [[Gerry Fitt]]
| 140,622
| 25.5
| {{Composition bar|1|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
| {{increase}} 2nd
|-
! [[1984 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|1984]]
| rowspan="4" |[[John Hume]]
| 151,399
| 22.1
| {{Composition bar|1|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 2nd
|-
! [[1989 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|1989]]
| 136,335
| 25.0
| {{Composition bar|1|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 2nd
|-
! [[1994 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|1994]]
| 161,992
| 28.9
| {{Composition bar|1|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 2nd
|-
! [[1999 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|1999]]
| 190,731
| 28.1
| {{Composition bar|1|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 2nd
|-
! [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|2004]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Mark Durkan]]
| 87,559
| 15.9
| {{Composition bar|0|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{decrease}} 4th
|-
! [[2009 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|2009]]
| 78,489
| 16.1
| {{Composition bar|0|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 4th
|-
! [[Northern Ireland (European Parliament constituency)#2014|2014]]
| [[Alasdair McDonnell]]
| 81,594
| 13.0
| {{Composition bar|0|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 4th
|-
! [[Northern Ireland (European Parliament constituency)#2019|2019]]
| [[Colum Eastwood]]
| 78,589
| 13.7
| {{Composition bar|0|3|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}} 4th
|}
==See also==
*[[Demography and politics of Northern Ireland]]
*[[Labour Party in Northern Ireland]]
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}
*{{Official website}}
{{Social Democratic and Labour Party}}
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