Deprivation on SDLP conference agenda

Nationalist SDLP members will debate today deprivation on both sides of the political divide in the North during the opening session of their annual conference.

Party members will be addressed by Shankill Road community activist Baroness May Blood during tonight’s opening session of the three-day conference in Belfast during a debate on the problems faced by unionist and nationalist communities.

SDLP deputy leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell will also deliver his first address to the party conference since becoming an MP.

The GP sensationally captured the South Belfast seat in this year’s general election following a split unionist vote.

He is expected to use his address to focus on the main theme of the conference , 'Stronger, Forward’, and emphasise his party’s key role in the peace process.

SDLP activists will head to the conference in buoyant form after this year’s general election result saw them return the same number of MPs as they had in the last parliament.

Party members have been encouraged by their leader Mark Durkan’s defence of the party’s seat in Foyle, Dr McDonnell’s victory in South Belfast and veteran Eddie McGrady’s retention of his seat in South Down.

The conference will also tonight debate motions on plans for the reform of local government in the North and the it’s involvement in the preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.