Colum Eastwood has revealed plans to take his party’s New Ireland Commission to a “new level” with additional investment and newly-recruited staff.
The departing SDLP leader, who launched the project in 2021, said there was a “need to build an organisation in the middle that can bring democratic Ireland together”.
It’s understood SDLP’s head of communications Martin McAuley is stepping down from the role ahead of taking up a new position with the New Ireland Commission in the coming weeks.
Mr Eastwood, who in August announced he was standing down as party leader, recently hosted a commission event in Derry alongside former taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
The former Fine Gael leader called on politicians in the Republic to back the establishment of a forum to set out plans for Irish unity.
The Foyle MP described the New Ireland Commission as a “think tank” and a “campaigning organisation” to foster what he termed a “middle ground force for a united Ireland”.
“It’s going to take lots of people but I think we’re uniquely placed to bring in the Leo Varadkars of this world to try to ensure that we can build the case for Irish unity,” he told The Irish News.
“That’s what I’m going to be relentlessly focused on. We’re going to build a proper, serious organisation and already we’ve been speaking to lots of people and funders, and we’re very excited about it.”
Loosely modelled on the New Ireland Forum, the SDLP’s New Ireland Commission brought together a panel of civic, faith, community and business leaders to advance the vision of the impact constitutional change would have on the economy and public services.
