Claire Hanna looks set assume the SDLP’s leader’s role unchallenged.
Multiple party sources have indicated to The Irish News that the top job is hers if she wants it.
The South Belfast & Mid Down MP is believed to be taking a few days to decide whether she wants the position made vacant by Colum Eastwood’s resignation.
As first revealed by The Irish News, the SDLP leader confirmed at a press conference in Derry that he plans to step down after nine years.
His successor will be elected, or ratified in the case of single candidate, at the party’s annual conference on October 5.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Eastwood was clear about who he believes is best equipped to succeed him.
He said Ms Hanna was “far and away” the best candidate to replace him.
First elected to Belfast City Council in 2011, the SDLP’s former Brexit spokesperson’s family is steeped in politics and the SDLP.
Her mother Carmel was briefly a minister in the Stormont executive before devolution was suspended in 2002, while her father Eamon is a former general secretary of the SDLP.
Ms Hanna’s husband Donal Lyons is one of five SDLP representatives on Belfast City Council.
Although in a recent BBC interview Ms Hanna signalled that she would be reluctant to be party leader due to the commitments it required, she is thought to be giving the opportunity to lead the SDLP serious consideration.
The leader of the party’s assembly team, Matthew O’Toole, is expected to speak about the leadership vacancy on Friday. He has yet to indicate if he will endorse Ms Hanna.
The SDLP’s management committee met on Thursday night to determine the process for the selection of a new leader. It is expected that nominations for the role will open on Friday and close in a week’s time.
Irish News columnist Tom Kelly, a former vice-chair of the SDLP, said Ms Hanna would bring “fresh energy and dynamism” to the party.
“Claire will bring new momentum to the role, which I believe will help re-energise the party rank and file,” he said.
“She is very capable and able to form an immediate connection with people - her appeal goes beyond the SDLP, which is undoubtedly an electoral asset.”
Mr Kelly said he hoped Ms Hanna and Mr O’Toole could “cement a partnership that has already proved fruitful – their styles compliment one another”.
“The challenges Colum Eastwood faced, including a serious organisational deficit, are not going to disappear but putting a new leadership team in place should help address them,” he said.
