2015 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election

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

Background

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

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

Colum Eastwood - MLA for Foyle. At 32 years old, Eastwood is the youngest SDLP MLA.^[4] He counted among his supporters the former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Seamus Mallon and former leader Mark Durkan.^[5]
Alasdair McDonnell - Leader of the SDLP and MP for Belfast South.

Results

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
Party		Candidate	FPv%	1
	SDLP	Colum Eastwood	56.4	Y 172
	SDLP	Alasdair McDonnell	43.6	N 133
Electorate: 315 Valid: 305 Spoilt: Quota: 154 Turnout:

References

^ 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.
^ 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.
^ "The ITV Hub - The home of ITV". U.tv. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
^ "SDLP leadership contest result to be announced later". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
^ 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.
^ "SDLP leadership: Colum Eastwood wins contest against Alasdair McDonnell". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.

[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.

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