SDLP to select new leader today

Members of the SDLP will today select a new leader for the second time in less than two years.

Four candidates are vying to take over from Margaret Ritchie at the helm of the party, after she announced her plan to step down in September.

Her decision came amid growing internal anger at her stewardship, as the party suffered further losses and fell to 14 seats in the May election to the Stormont Assembly.

For decades the party dominated the nationalist political landscape in the North, but it has long been overshadowed by Sinn Féin.

The SDLP is currently holding its annual party conference in Belfast.

During the Assembly’s summer recess, deputy leader Patsy McGlone declared his hand and revealed his intention to challenge for the leadership at the conference.

By September Ms Ritchie had confirmed she was to stand down and also leave her Stormont seat to concentrate on her Westminster role.

The MP for South Down replaced Mark Durkan as leader, narrowly defeating South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell in January 2010.

He is also fighting to replace her.

The sole SDLP minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, Alex Attwood, has thrown his hat into the leadership race.

The additional candidate is Conall McDevitt, the youngest contender and an Assembly member for South Belfast who has pledged to deliver a fresh voice for the party.

The outgoing leader was criticised for her media performances while party members also questioned the direction in which she had taken the SDLP during her tenure.