Margaret Ritchie quits as SDLP leader
Northern Ireland MP resigns as head of party but will still represent South Down at Stormont and Westminster
The nationalist MP for South Down, Margaret Ritchie, has stepped down as leader of the Social Democratic and Labour party.
Ritchie has been under pressure as the head of the nationalist party since the SDLP’s poor performance in the Northern Ireland assembly elections last May.
The SDLP – the party founded by leading figures in the civil rights movement like John Hume – has been in decline over the last decade, after being eclipsed as the leading voice of nationalism by Sinn Féin.
At the start of last month, the SDLP deputy leader, Patsy McGlone, said he would be challenging Ritchie’s leadership at its annual conference in November.
Ritchie said on Thursday night that she did not feel it was possible to be an MP, a member of the Stormont assembly and lead a political party.
“I have been immensely proud to be leader of the SDLP and will continue as leader in order to assist the party in a smooth transition to the new leadership,” she said.
“I will also be stepping down from the assembly and will start the selection process after the party conference.”
Ritchie said she had to ask herself: “What is my first love in politics? My first love in politics is delivering for the great people of South Down.”
She added: “I would also assure those from South Down and throughout the north who have given me great support and encouragement that I will continue to serve the SDLP and work towards the renewal of the party and the completion of the work I have set in motion.”
