“We are constrained by the status quo” and a new, united Ireland “will create a fairer, more prosperous society with reconciliation at its heart”, new SDLP leader Claire Hanna told her party’s conference in Belfast.
The South Belfast MP gave his first speech as leader, stating his belief that “New Ireland is the social democratic way to a better system” and his commitment to growing the SDLP.
A working devolved government at Stormont, he said, “is important, but it is not the limit of this party’s ambition. We will do everything we can to make Stormont work, but we refuse to believe it is as good as it is.”
After receiving a standing ovation as he took to the stage as leader, representative after representative highlighted to The Irish Times the “good vibe” and “positivity” in the room towards Hanna, pointing to the packed room – “more than a UUP conference, more than a DUP conference” – and the age and gender of those present. gender balance.
“So often the conference audience is full of middle-aged men in gray suits. There is nothing like that here,” said one party member.
“There’s a lot of goodwill here,” said Jon Tonge, a professor of politics at the University of Liverpool. “He has no enemy in the party and it’s been a long time since the SDLP has been able to say that.
“But is it the Claire Hanna show or the SDLP show? They have to marry the two.”
In his speech, the new leader stressed the “importance of patient and careful work on relations – in this region, north and south and between Britain and Ireland” because “the journey really does shape the destination”. How we get there is important.”
While “the new Ireland is not a magic wand,” Hanna said, “it will bring us closer to a connected, dynamic economy. It will bring us back to Europe, to a society that appreciates the arts, to a progressive foreign policy, to real freedom of expression in where we are going.
“The development and transformation of the Republic of Ireland over the past two decades has been inspiring to watch. Economic success, a positive force in the world, a true cultural powerhouse. I want that for everyone here,” he said.
“Change can seem scary, but its principle is simple and exciting – the people of this region, in all our differences and diversity, come together to build something new.
“We know that a new Ireland will mean a new Northern Ireland down the road. It means we’re not waiting for the border poll to start changing people’s lives. It’s still about removing borders from our minds,” he said.
Acknowledging the electoral challenges the SDLP faced, Hanna said it was “a bit stuck” after the Belfast Agreement in 1998 and “we haven’t been clear about who we are and that’s allowed other people to define the stories they tell about us. .
“Nostalgia is great – if you can get your hands on an Oasis ticket – but it’s not a political strategy. We are rightly proud of our yesterday, but the SDLP is about today and tomorrow. From today we are talking about the future,” he said.
In his final speech as leader before officially stepping down, Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said he was “thrilled and inspired” by his successor.
In August, Eastwood announced his intention to step down at party conference after nine years in the role, but will remain an MP and continue his work with the party’s New Ireland Commission.
He also acknowledged the party’s “weakened electoral state”, but said the SDLP was uniquely positioned to push for constitutional change.
“Which political party can talk the middle ground? Who has the history, heritage and credibility to convince the undecided? We can because we have always sought to build a shared home for all on this island.”