‘Final days of the Westminister election – or final days for the SDLP?’ by Ciaran Cairns

As we move into the final days of the Westminster Election, it’s obvious for all to see that the SDLP are being stretched in all directions, in all areas in this election.

The idea of an anti-Brexit candidate in certain areas to ensure that the voice of the people is heard, over those addicted to austerity and the Conservative mind-set, was dismissed by the SDLP. It was dismissed, not because they disagreed with the idea, but it is one of the last cards they can play as a party that people will take notice of; their final power play as a Westminster party.

Let’s consider some of the key areas and the SDLP:

Fermanagh South Tyrone – Here, the SDLP are a party of the past and have placed a little known candidate in Mary Garrity in the running. In FST, with a Unionist pact, Tom Elliot won the seat by 250 votes in 2015, but when we look at this in election real time, Sinn Fein have a very good chance of taking the seat with Michele Gildernew; a candidate who works hard in the constituency and has a high profile with the electorate.

North Belfast – The DUPs Nigel Dodds has held this seat since 2001, but it is highly probable that Sinn Fein will take it away from him on June 8^th. John Finucane has a real prospect of using the Sinn Fein successes in the last election, and his profile to sweep the board. Mr Finucane will look to take votes from the SDLPs unknown Martin McAuley, a candidate the media and public know nothing about, unless you’re an avid Twitter user..

East Belfast – The SDLP have placed former Labour Party member Seamas De Faoite in this area; for no reason other than to have a candidate on the card. In 2015 a Unionist pact was put in place to take away from the Alliance Party, but now the UUP feel able to field a candidate, Andy Allen. But in all honesty, this is an Alliance v DUP; with Naomi Long heading the betting.

Upper Bann – This is a solid DUP seat, with David Simpson the favourite to retain the seat for the party. The SDLP vote in the area, particularly Declan McAlinden, will rely on a Unionist vote now, as have candidates in the past, but Sinn Fein can cause an upset in the constituency with John O’Dowd a strong candidate for second place, and push the SDLP out.

South Belfast – This is fertile ground for all parties involved. The SDLP & Claire Hannah will feel under pressure by the swell in the DUP and Sin Fein vote. Many see the DUPs Emma Pengelly as someone that can take the seat from SDLPs Alastair McDonnell, but the dark horse here can be Sinn Feins Mairtin O Muilleoir. Mr O Muilleoir has maintained a high profile in the constituency and has delivered for all, including businesses; Can he do it?

South Antrim – This is the Unionist v Unionist seat. The UUPs Danny Kinnihan currently holds the seat, which he took from the DUP in 2015. The DUP feel they can win this seat with Paul Girvan at the helm, and taking into consideration thteir vote swell in the Assembly election, the may well be right.

South Down – SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie is under considerable pressure in this constituency. Her last winning majority was 5891, but with the resurgence of Sinn Fein in the Assembly election where they dwarfed the SDLP by over 6000, Ms Ritchie will be feeling the heat. The only way that the SDLP can retain this, is if they appeal to Unionists to vote for them to keep Sinn Fein out; so in other words, this is about SDLP priorities, not about a voice for those who are anti-Brexit.

The Sinn Fein candidate in South Down is Chris Hazzard. Mr Hazzard is a rising star within Sinn Fein. He has the capability to lead from the front and has shown his mettle as Minister for Infrastructure.

The idea that the SDLP will and has asked for votes in Unionist areas to ensure a wage for their party is not a new one, so let’s consider Foyle.

Foyle – Within the Foyle constituency the SDLP has relied on Unionist votes to keep them afloat in numerous elections. There have been suggestions that a recently retired MLA in the constituency often appealed to community organisations in Unionist areas to keep Sinn Fein out by lending the SDLP their vote; a tactic that they continue to use today at the doors in Derry as recently as last week.

SDLP canvass teams in Foyle have asked people to give the DUP their vote, if they won’t vote for the SDLP.

The canvass teams in question are made up of high-ranking SDLP Derry members, who discuss Sinn Fein’s abstentionism (but not theirs in the Oireachtas)!, instead of explaining why Mark Durkan, the outgoing Foyle MP, has delivered ZERO for Foyle, but has collected a wage of over £1.5 million, with many of the Foyle electorate commenting that Mr Durkan has “retired in London, and is never seen in Derry”

The electorate of Foyle should aim for someone to make an impact for them. They should lend their vote to Sinn Feins upcoming talent that is Eisha McCallion. Foyle needs a strong voice, not the grey vision of Mark Durkan. The SDLP have had their day, they have had their chances, they have burnt their bridges; time for a change.

The SDLP position in South Down and Foyle seems to be retention of a seat, at any cost; not for the sake of the electorate, but for the sake of a party wage structure.

This will be the last Westminster Election for the SDLP where they can claim any legitimacy as MPs. The day of pretending to make an impact on the green benches and photo shoots with charities are over. We need a party that will make an impact, not oaths to ensure self preservation.

And finally, a nod to Unionism; a vote for a Nationalist party will continue to help the Nationalist vote grow. When this vote grows, the Nationalist mandate grows. An anti-Sinn Fein vote to help the SDLP gain ground is a vote for a border poll by-proxy – be careful what you vote for!