Colum Eastwood

Outgoing SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and likely next leader Claire Hanna sit on the government benches at Westminster, rather than on the opposition benches with the other Northern Ireland MPs. The party simultaneously claims to seek to hold the government's feet to the fire on key issues.

SDLP's government link-up questioned as Winter Fuel cut passed

Claire Hanna is set to become next leader of SDLP

Claire Hanna set to become next leader of SDLP

Claire Hanna, SDLP

Claire Hanna confirms bid for SDLP leadership

Claire Hanna looks set to be the next leader of the SDLP after Colum Eastwood stood down this week. Stormont leader Matthew O'Toole says there is "a natural complementarity and balance to us having a leader who is based at Westminster". Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

SDLP led from London brings 'natural balance' - O'Toole

SDLP members Claire Hanna, Colum Eastwood and Matthew O'Toole

SDLP’s Stormont leader Matthew O’Toole backs Claire Hanna as future party leader

Morning View

Editorial: A devoted MP for Foyle, Eastwood also oversaw 'greening' of tSDLP

Under Colum Eastwood the SDLP made often uncomfortable shifts on party policy on social issues. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Eastwood era saw shift on social issues

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood during a press conference where he announced his resignation as party leader, at Eskaheen View

Eastwood says ‘great privilege’ to lead SDLP and tips Hanna as successor

Colum Eastwood who is set to quit as the leader of the SDLP, the PA news agency understands

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood to quit

Renowned author, journalist and feminist activist Nell McCafferty has died at the age of 80. Issue date: Wednesday August 21, 2024.Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Irish journalist and feminist activist Nell McCafferty dies aged 80

Justin McNulty SDLP MLA at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, following the restoration of the powersharing executive

Justin McNulty has SDLP whip restored after leaving Assembly early

Morning View

Editorial: South Armagh PSNI car incident showed double standards in policing

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and south Belfast MP Claire Hanna sit on with Labour MPs in Westminster, rather than on the opposition benches with the other Northern Ireland MPs.

SDLP accused of 'somersaulting' across the Commons

Letters to editor

Letter: Any chance to get a dig in at unionists then the media will have a go

The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, left, let himself down when he shouted 'Derry' as the DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP referred to Londonderry in a light hearted speech on the resumption of the House of Commons on Tuesday July 9 2024 after the general election the week before

Wallace Thompson: It was petty of Colum Eastwood to shout 'Derry' at Robinson

A bonfire with election posters of SDLP MP Claire Hanna (left) and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill attached to it, at Monarch Industrial Estate in Belfast. The burning of loyalist bonfires is part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations marking the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Politicians’ election posters appear on loyalist bonfires in Northern Ireland

Politicians’ election posters have appeared on loyalist bonfires in Northern Ireland.

By Rebecca Black, PA

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood joked that he "looks forward to the end of tribal politics"

SDLP outbursts as Parliament meets

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pictured in Parliament Buildings with Northern Ireland's Stormont Assembly speaker Edwin Potts during his first visit to Northern Ireland since becoming PM

PM to work 'constructively' on NI public sector finance issues

Reform’s Ben Habib speaks at a press conference at the Conrad Hilton, London, January 3, 2024. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

'Reform UK are like fascists? That is utter garbage' says Ben Habib

SDLP Leader Colm Eastwood is re-elected in Foyle at Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt, during the count for the 2024 General Election. Picture date: Friday July 5, 2024.

Democratic process now 'without fear of intimidation or violence'

SDLP leader Colm Eastwood celebrates his election in Foyle at Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Colum Eastwood ‘delighted’ to see back’ of Tories as he holds Foyle

SDLP leader Column Eastwood said at 2:20am that he was confident he was going to retake Foyle.

Eastwood confident he is on course to retake Foyle

File photo dated 04/06/24 of Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage holding a McDonalds banana milkshake in Jaywick, Essex

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood likens Reform to a 'neo-fascist party'

Mark H Durkan at the Magherafelt count centre, 5.7.24

'I am confident SDLP have held Foyle and South Belfast' says Mark H Durkan

DUP MLA Gary Middleton is looking to the next election in Foyle already.

Foyle: 'DUP campaign is about building for the future'

Tara Mills hosting the BBC NI Leaders' Debate in Belfast with (left to right) SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood, Sinn Fein Chris Hazzard, Justice Minister and Alliance leader Naomi Long, DUP Leader Gavin Robinson, and Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader Robbie Butler

NI politicians clash on health, Stormont stability and Irish unity in TV debate

Colum Eastwood, SDLP leader and Westminster candidate for the constituency of Foyle, takes a selfie with his canvassing team in the Creggan area of Londonderry.  Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Foyle the arena as SDLP and SF battle for supremacy

​The SDLP is hoping to hold off a challenge from Sinn Fein in what is expected to be a key general election battle within nationalism in the Foyle constituency.

By Rebecca Black, PA

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood pictured at the Guildhall in Londonderry. Mr Eastwood is standing for his party in the constituency of Foyle in the upcoming Westminster election

Tories have wrecked NI and destroyed UK’s relationship with Dublin – Eastwood

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood pictured at the Guildhall in Derry City. Mr Eastwood is standing for his party in the constituency of Foyle in the upcoming Westminster election. Picture date: Thursday June 20, 2024. PA Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood rounds on Sinn Fein MPs

Pictured at the UTV election debate with moderator Vicki Hawthorne are (L-R) Robbie Butler, Naomi Long, Colum Eastwood, John Finucane and Gavin Robinson.

Brexit fall-out, finances and a unified Ireland dominate leaders’ UTV debate

Two Stormont leaders have spoken about Tory plans for mandatory national service

UUP and SDLP leaders cast concern over Tory national service scheme

DUP interim leader Gavin Robinson MP vowed to pursue a 'positive' campaign over the coming six weeks. He said there 'a couple of seats for which I think there is still an opportunity for unionist cooperation'

DUP leader tells rival unionists it is not too late to co-operate over election

Not all Fylde coast MPs are standing for Parliament again

SF MPs attend Parliament 'once a month' and have coffee -SDLP

The DUP office in Lisburn

Election 2024: Decision time for DUP and Alliance in key constituencies

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

Election an opportunity for NI to return 'strategic thinkers' to Westminster

Communities minister Gordon Lyons (centre) at Windsor Park with representatives of local clubs

‘Once in a lifetime’ investment fund launched to modernise football facilities

Councillor Lilian Barr - new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council. SDLP image

NI gets first black mayor as one councillor resigns over selection process

Morning View

Editorial: Sunak was right to sidestep Eastwood's demand for Kenova apology

DUP MLA Phillip Brett chairs Stormont's Economy committee

DUP welcome Coleraine university growth commitment

Both former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and his Fine Gael colleague Simon Coveney have now left government.

Coveney ‘contempt’ for unionists​​​​​​​ – TUV

The North Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC

SDLP confirms full Washington boycott for St Patrick’s week in Gaza protest

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood (left) and Matthew O'Toole speak during a press conference at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, on Monday

SDLP leader: door remains open for suspended MLA Justin McNulty

Morning View

Editorial: Another SDLP American snub that will above all harm the party itself

Colum Eastwood said Israel’s actions in Gaza are ‘a clear act of genocide’

Colum Eastwood says SDLP will boycott White House on St Patrick's Day

22/04/22: Leader Jim Allister during the TUV manifesto launch at the Dunadry Hotel

'We owe no apologies for pointing out dangers of Protocol'

Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris has said that in the absence of an executive, "the government will proceed with a pragmatic and reasonable approach to support Northern Ireland.”. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Stormont deadline 'attempt to bounce Unionists'

Michelle O'Neill

O'Neill says DUP refusal to return to Stormont is down to last year's election

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood says the past 12 months have been a waste and that progress must be made on "serious crises" facing communities in Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

SDLP leader 'hopeful' of Stormont return early next year

Mr Heaton-Harris also said negotiations with the DUP on the post-Brexit Windsor Framework have not concluded, contradicting an earlier claim from Sinn Fein

Hillsborough talks will focus on stabilising Stormont finances – Heaton-Harris

Home Secretary Suella Braverman leaving her home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, today

DUP MP accuses republicans of 'rank hypocrisy' over Braverman policing comments

Members of the House of Commons and Lords during the State Opening of Parliament, in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London on Tuesday. Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Passing reference to Union shows why Stormont should stay down: Allister

King Charles III delivers a speech beside Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London on Tuesday morning. It was King Charles's first King's speech as monarch, having previously deputised for the late Queen to open parliamentary sessions. Photo: Leon Neal/PA Wire

King: Government will 'strengthen' Union - but no mention of NI or trade border

Council workers from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council help clean up flood-stricken Downpatrick, Co Down, on Monday. Pic:: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland flooding: Chris Heaton-Harris pledges help 'where possible'

UUP leader Doug Beattie speaks to the media after a breakfast with US investors at the Titanic Centre, Belfast. Photo: David Young/PA Wire

We need political stability says Doug Beattie

Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill and party colleague Conor Murphy speak to the media after a breakfast with US investors at the Titanic Centre, Belfast. Photo: David Young/PA Wire

Use US trade delegation visit as spur to bring Stormont back – O’Neill