2015 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election

A leadership election was held for the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) of Northern Ireland between 12 and 15 November 2015. The result was a victory for Colum Eastwood.

2015 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election
← 2011 12–15 November 2015 2024 →
  Colum Eastwood Alasdair McDonnell
Candidate Colum Eastwood Alasdair McDonnell
1st pref. 172 133
Percentage 56.4% 43.6%

Leader before election

Alasdair McDonnell

Elected Leader

Colum Eastwood

Background

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Following poor election results in the 2014 local elections, the 2014 European Parliament election and the 2015 Westminster election, McDonnell resisted calls to stand down.[1] Initially no challenger came forward, though early in June it was rumoured that eventual challenger Colum Eastwood would stand.[2] It was not until late September that Eastwood confirmed that he would stand against McDonnell.[3]

Candidates

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Two SDLP members announced they would stand in the leadership election. These were:

Results

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Below is a table summarising the results of the leadership election. With just two candidates there was only one round of votes.

2015 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election[6]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1
SDLP Colum Eastwood 56.4 172
SDLP Alasdair McDonnell 43.6 133
Electorate: 315   Valid: 305   Spoilt:     Quota: 154   Turnout:    

References

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  1. ^ Gerry Moriarty (14 May 2015). "SDLP leader resists calls to stand down". Irishtimes.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  2. ^ Clarke, Liam (16 June 2015). "SDLP deputy Dolores Kelly calls for leader Alasdair McDonnell to stand down". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 31 December 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  3. ^ "The ITV Hub - The home of ITV". U.tv. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  4. ^ "SDLP leadership contest result to be announced later". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  5. ^ Sheena Jackson (30 October 2015). "Mark Durkan MP joins Seamus Mallon in support of Eastwood as SDLP leader". Derry Journal. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  6. ^ "SDLP leadership: Colum Eastwood wins contest against Alasdair McDonnell". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.