Foyle MP Mark Durkan steps down as SDLP leader
Foyle MP Mark Durkan has used his last speech as leader of the SDLP to launch a stinging attack on the DUP and Sinn Fein.
Speaking on Saturday at the SDLP's annual conference Mr. Durkan ended his eight year leadership of the party by summing up the options for voters in Northern Ireland.
Stating that the public were crying out for change, were fed up with all the instability and frustrated by the lack of delivery, he said people were sceptical about more hype and spin.
"It is not just the years of broken promises here that have so severely damaged the public's faith in politics - and in some politicians. It's the serial crises, stand-offs and never-ending 'process'.
"If you don't want to back change, but instead to change back - you've got the TUV. Jim Allister - the man who takes all the 'fun' out of fundamentalist.
"Or you could vote for the Ulster Unionists. They have certainly become interesting and are making the news again. But only because they seem to be lining up more partners than Tiger Woods. And some dodgy ones at that.
"For the SDLP, this is a time of some change."
The outgoing SDLP leader welcomed the transfer of policing and justice powers but said Sinn Fein had "connived with the DUP to circumvent d'Hondt". He said: "They pretend that they will support an SDLP nominee for the Justice Ministry, when they have handed the DUP the very veto that would frustrate that rightful nomination.
"Changing the rules to deny a due outcome, to discriminate against a nationalist party and confer patronage and undue power on a pro-union party used to be called gerrymandering. Today Sinn Fein call it "historic progress" and "the best agreement of all".
The MP also touched on his involvement in the expenses scandal. He said: "I know eyebrows were raised when I was challenged over a claim I had made for a London hotel room. Thankfully, the matter was easily cleared up and I wasn't asked to pay back anything. However, I'm pretty sure I'm now in a fairly unique category - perhaps the only politician who ever got into hot water for sleeping with his wife!"
He talked about a shared vision of unity and said he dreamed of the day then political difference was not equated with different religions, but about how best to use democracy to ensure well-being and betterment, welfare and justice for others and peace for the world.
"We can offer people compelling reasons to vote SDLP", he said. "And to join us in all these causes and more. Even without exposing the confused and contradictory positions of other parties.
"But, this is a conference speech. Today's my last one. Honestly, I'm giving up after this."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
