The SDLP

The actions of the Communities Minister cannot be ignored.

He is the Minister responsible for the Housing Executive and lives are at stake.

Tomorrow the Opposition will refer him to the standards commissioner and explore all other options for accountability.

Today we heard from families who tragically lost children as they were coming home from school.

Their powerful testimonies and pain touched everyone in Stormont today.

We're pleased that the Assembly has today backed a proposal to change the law to improve children's safety when travelling home.

Our motion to improve school bus safety has passed thanks to the courage of those who shared their stories.

This was about making sure no family has to endure what they’ve been through.

Grateful to the campaigners, medical professionals and parents who helped make this happen.

SDLP graphic split in two, a blue half featuring Nigel Farage and "A Farage future...", and a red half featuring Dublin and "...or a new Ireland in Europe", followed by the tagline "What would you choose?"

📢 Northern Ireland faces a choice.

🌹 An inward-looking, reactionary British state, or a new Ireland willing to reach out across the world.

🌱 What would you choose?

SDLP graphic with a headshot of Cllr Denise Johnston and the caption Mid Ulster's next Vice Chairperson, Cllr Denise Johnston.

Moyola councillor Denise Johnson will be the next Vice Chairperson of Mid Ulster District Council.

Cllr Johnston is a politics teacher and well-known victims campaigner, has championed local causes from Lough Neagh to school safety and will take up the role on 2 June.

As genocide continues in Gaza, the SDLP is calling on the UK to recognise Palestine, like Ireland, Norway, Spain and others already have.

It’s not a radical step. It’s a moral one.

Peaceful protest is not a crime. And silence on Gaza is not an option.

Today in the Assembly, SDLP Leader of the Opposition @otoolematthew.bsky.social called out the arrest of peaceful protesters in Belfast, while the world watches the horror unfolding in Gaza.

Claire Hanna MP, Matthew O'Toole MLA, Alexa Moore and Scott Cuthbertson

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ We met with Scott and Alexa from The Rainbow Project to discuss a range of issues affecting LGBTQIA+ people including the recent Supreme Court ruling, the poor provision of trans healthcare and the impact these issues are having on trans people in Northern Ireland.

The SDLP wants to build an Ireland that is welcoming to all who choose to call this place home.

The DUP, however, is plumbing new depths by pushing divisive politics reminiscent of Enoch Powell.

We were proud to stand today against the DUP's right-wing, populist nonsense.

This budget represents yet more drift, inaction and distraction from the Finance Minister and the Executive.

Today we published our own plans for better public finances, representing real ambition for how we raise and spend money in this place.

SDLP graphic showing Cllr Paul Doherty underneath the caption Belfast's next Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Paul Doherty

West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty will be the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Cllr Doherty is a well-known anti-poverty campaigner and founder of the charity Foodstock, and will take up the role on June 2nd.

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP and SDLP members at the march for trans rights.

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 On IDAHOBIT we were proud to march for trans rights in Belfast.

SDLP graphic showing a pride flag with the caption Stand up for all LGBTQIA+ people International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️❤️ Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

When discrimination and hate against LGBTQIA+ people, particularly trans people, is on the rise here and globally it is crucial to stand against all forms of anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination.

Students deserve affordable and accessible education.

Sinn Féin promised young people they would not see fees rise, to go back on that commitment would be incredibly damaging.

Matthew O'Toole MLA and Claire Hanna MP talking in front of some cattle.

Claire Hanna MP and Daniel McCrossan MLA feeding some alpacas.

Daniel McCrossan MLA and Matthew O'Toole MLA in cowboy hats.

Matthew O'Toole MLA and Claire Hanna MP standing in front of heavy machinery.

The Balmoral Show represents the very best of Northern Ireland's vibrant agriculture producers and showcases the huge range of small food and drink businesses now thriving here.

We must do more to support our farmers and small businesses in this turbulent time for global trade.

The harm caused by excessive smartphone usage in our young people has become clear, providing a source of constant stress and anxiety.

They deserve a break and limiting smartphone usage in schools is a strong first step to take.

SDLP graphic with the caption Northern Ireland needs a better childcare settlement Nearly half of all households (48%) said that childcare is unaffordable. We want to fix that.

Parents and campaigners have been vocal about the impact of increasing childcare costs.

Last year we proposed Our Childcare Guarantee proposing to half childcare costs by 2030.

The Minister must take seriously proposals aiming to fix this crisis, given this was supposed to be a day one priority.

It's clear global politics is at a significant turning point.

We can either choose an open, outward looking future, or one which is increasingly closed minded.

We firmly believe our future belongs in a new Ireland in Europe.

@clairehanna.bsky.social

Buzzing after my first marathon today, Belfast. Here’s 4 and a half hours condensed into a minute - all human life is here 😊

The structural shift in British politics took another step today.

Those in NI who don't want to be part of a Farage UK, or even in a political system that concedes so much to him even when he isn't in power, have a choice which is ever more urgent.

A new Ireland back in Europe.

SDLP graphic showing Nigel Farage beneath the headline "A Dark Direction" Below is a quote from SDLP Leader Claire Hanna, "Every day, we are confronted with reasons to break from the UK's narrow, isolationist path and instead build a diverse, just and confident Ireland that everyone can call home."

British politics is moving in a dark direction.

The SDLP believes in a different path. A diverse, just and confident New Ireland that everyone can call home.

Having promised an overhaul of workers rights (but not published an actual Bill) on Monday, Sinn Féin tonight worked with Alliance to force an extension of Sunday opening for giant retailers, against the express wishes of workers, trade unions and small shops.

And on May day...

SDLP graphic in linocut style with depictions of plants and animals and the text Stand up for Workers Happy May Day

Wishing all workers, everywhere, a very happy May Day. 🌹

SDLP graphic with scales showing Belfast City Hall and Derry Guildhall and text saying The North West doesn't get it's fair share of investment... Our bill would fix that.

Do you feel like your area doesn't get it's fair share of jobs and investment?

Sinéad McLaughlin is bringing a bill which seeks to redress the balance caused by decades of underinvestment in areas around the North.

Read more here: sdlp.ie/balancing_act

The DUP and others say that we can't be trusted with more fiscal power, while simultaneously lamenting financial decisions taken in Westminster.

They, and the Executive, continually seek and achieve power, yet refuse to take responsibility when it comes to financial decisions.

When her Executive colleagues have been spending over £220,000 on travel, it's bizarre that the First Minister can't say if she stayed in a 5 star hotel.

Our public services are in ruin and it's absurd for ministers to spend public money in this way.

As the US ‘liberates’ itself from a strong economy & basic logic, this is a moment for doing the things in our control to protect people + jobs here. I raised the impact of Big Tech on politics & young people, and ensuring Trump’s ‘inner circle’ don’t get a free ride in all this

Our health service is at a crisis point, and the Executive is gaslighting us about how much new money is being invested.

Those with power must be honest with the public on what is being funded and where the money is coming from.

@colinmcgrathsdlp.bsky.social

“Is your vision for this place limited to one part of the community?”

@sineadforfoyle21.bsky.social challenged the deputy First Minister over Irish language signage at Grand Central Station.

It’s in no one’s interest to create another ‘crocodile moment’. Time to focus on inclusion not distraction.

🚑 Ambulance delays outside hospitals are risking lives.

Our Opposition Day motion calls for urgent action to fix the system and deliver faster, safer care.

📄 Read more in our Help Can’t Wait plan: sdlp.ie/help_cant_wait