McDonnell to step down as MLA
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell has confirmed he is going to step down as an MLA after being returned as an MP for the area.
The South Belfast MLA has represented the area at Stormont for the past 17 years.
He was first elected as MP in 2005.
It is expected he will start the process of stepping down as MLA as soon as possible.
Dr McDonnell was re-elected as an MP for the area in Thursday’s General Election, with a majority of 906 votes.
He told the BBC’s Sunday Politics Show: “I will be talking to the party about the process of moving now that I have secured the Westminster seat for the third time and that’s a major achievement.”
SDLP leader @AlasdairMcD_MP has confirmed he will start the process to step down as an MLA and concentrate on his role as an MP.
— Ken Reid (@KenReid_utv) May 10, 2015
In 2016, following the dissolution of the Assembly, double-jobbing will be banned, leaving a number of newly elected MPs having to decide on which seat to retain.
The UUP’s Danny Kinahan has already said he intends to step down as an MLA following his election as an MP in South Antrim.
