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07/11/2011
SDLP's New Leader Stumbles Over Speech
The new leader of the mainly Catholic constitutional nationalist party, the SDLP is stalwart, Dr Alasdair McDonnell.
He beat three other candidates at the SDLP conference to succeed Margaret Ritchie and has pledged to change the electoral fortunes of the party after a period of decline in its support.
However, he has already been forced to defend criticism of his acceptance speech, which he claimed was 'held up' by technical problems.
Dr McDonnell's speech to delegates at the conference saw him falter several times and then he complained about a light shining in his eyes.
But, while referring to the speech, speaking to BBC NI today he moved on to other matters and said: "I felt that at the last election, had we done our homework a bit sooner, we might have got up to 18 or 20 seats. We are now in a situation where we are down to 14 seats.
"I intend reversing that and at the next assembly election, provided things like constituencies don't change, which is a likelihood, I would, in terms of today's set-up, want to see 20 seats."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams - who is the former West Belfast MP and now Co Louth TD - commented on the election of Alasdair McDonnell as SDLP leader.
"I wish Alasdair McDonnell well. I hope the new leader will display a positive, constructive and forward looking attitude."
(BMcC)
He beat three other candidates at the SDLP conference to succeed Margaret Ritchie and has pledged to change the electoral fortunes of the party after a period of decline in its support.
However, he has already been forced to defend criticism of his acceptance speech, which he claimed was 'held up' by technical problems.
Dr McDonnell's speech to delegates at the conference saw him falter several times and then he complained about a light shining in his eyes.
But, while referring to the speech, speaking to BBC NI today he moved on to other matters and said: "I felt that at the last election, had we done our homework a bit sooner, we might have got up to 18 or 20 seats. We are now in a situation where we are down to 14 seats.
"I intend reversing that and at the next assembly election, provided things like constituencies don't change, which is a likelihood, I would, in terms of today's set-up, want to see 20 seats."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams - who is the former West Belfast MP and now Co Louth TD - commented on the election of Alasdair McDonnell as SDLP leader.
"I wish Alasdair McDonnell well. I hope the new leader will display a positive, constructive and forward looking attitude."
(BMcC)
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