Emma DeSouza: The North may need a resurgent SDLP to affect constitutional change

Nationalism needs a broad church, Sinn Féin and the SDLP should work toward a more joined-up approach to tackling the issues that impact the nationalist community at large

By overhauling its political strategy and messaging, reactivating the New Ireland Commission, and platforming its young, up-and-coming political players, Colum Eastwood's SDLP still has the potential to retread in its historical footsteps as leaders, charting a new Ireland. File photo: Liam McBurney/PA

In 1998, the Social Democratic and Labour party (SDLP) had the support of 70% of the nationalist vote, securing it the position of Deputy First Minister in the first post-Good Friday Assembly as it catapulted past Sinn Féin as the largest Nationalist party in the North. 

Today, the party has been relegated to the opposition benches, no longer holding enough seats to qualify for a ministerial position in government.