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| 08/02/2010 |
Taoiseach Welcomes New SDLP Leader |
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The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has welcomed Margaret Ritchie as the new leader of the SDLP.
Yesterday, Ms Ritchie made history by becoming the first woman elected to lead the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
The long serving MLA was the Stormont Executive's Social Development Minister and replaces the outgoing Foyle MP Mark Durkan at the helm of the nationalist party.
Speaking today, Mr Cowen passed his "warmest congratulations" to Margaret Ritchie on her election to the post.
"In assuming the office of SDLP leader, she follows in one of the most distinguished lines in Irish political history. I am sure she will continue that proud tradition into the future," the Taoiseach said.
He added: "She has shown as Minister for Social Development that she has the values and the leadership skills that Northern Ireland needs to build a better future. I look forward to working with Margaret as we continue to work together for lasting peace and prosperity throughout Ireland. I also send my best wishes to Alasdair McDonnell, who fought a vigorous and noble campaign".
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The 51-year-old South Down Assemblywoman beat SDLP deputy leader, and South Belfast MP, Dr Alasdair McDonnell in a vote during the party's annual conference in Newcastle.
Ms Ritchie is the first woman to lead a dominant Northern Ireland political party. Dawn Purvis currently leads the fringe-loyalist Progressive Unionist Party, serving as its sole MLA.
In a proposition paper, disclosed to www.4NI.co.uk news last week, Ms Ritchie put forward radical changes under her leadership mandate.
She outlined several steps aimed at restoring "the publics' faith" in Northern Ireland politics.
This will include the SDLP voluntarily publishing the names of all political donations over the threshold of £5,000 from 1 April.
Ms Ritchie will also call for a review of the Planning Legislation to ensure that planning officials and elected representatives publicly detail all their contacts with developers and resident groups on any particular planning application.
"There is no legitimate reason why there shouldn’t be complete transparency in the planning process," she said.
"If everything is being done above board, then there's nothing to hide. If anything unscrupulous is going on, the public deserves to know."
Ms Ritchie continued: "I am committed to transparency in politics, and as SDLP Leader and I will take a lead to ensure that an atmosphere of openness becomes the norm rather than the exception in Northern Ireland."
(DW/BMcC) |
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