The nomination of Northern Ireland’s first black mayor is a significant development and it can only be a matter for considerable regret that at least to an extent it has been overshadowed by an unfortunate procedural dispute.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who was originally a refugee from Kenya, was chosen by the SDLP to be the next first citizen of Derry City and Strabane District Council.
She came to prominence by helping to organise the Black Lives Matter protests which took place in Derry’s Guildhall Square back in 2020, and became a councillor the following year.
Ms Seenoi-Barr has made a strongly positive contribution to civic life since then and in many ways epitomises the increasing diversity of Irish society on both sides of the border.
When the SDLP’s turn arrived under the long established d’Hondt system to hold the post as mayor for the next 12 months, she was one of the individuals always likely to be shortlisted.
However, it was also important that the discussions to finalise the SDLP’s choice were surrounded by fairness and transparency at all stages.
At least three members of the 10-strong SDLP council group have expressed concern about the sequence of events and suggested that a lack of democracy had been involved.
One, Jason Barr, sent his best wishes to Ms Seenoi-Barr, but said that the outcome had left him in an untenable position, and he will now sit as an independent after resigning from the party.
While the SDLP has insisted that it does not comment on internal selection processes, the entire issue is now firmly in the public domain, and a detailed explanation of the full background would be appropriate.
The implication that a proper selection convention, allowing different candidates to make their case, never happened is a damaging one, and does not assist Ms Seenoi-Barr as she sets out to represent all the citizens of her area.
Derry’s complex past, and all the symbolism associated with the Guildhall, means that the highest possible standards should always surround the confirmation of a first citizen there.
There will be an expectation that Ms Seenoi-Barr will make a notable impact in her new role
Many observers will also hope that the emergence of a mayor from the minority unionist tradition in the council district can follow in the coming years.
There will be an expectation that Ms Seenoi-Barr will make a notable impact in her new role, and she may well be able to offer her special insights and analysis during the vital wider debates which are evolving rapidly well beyond Derry.
It is essential that the lessons of recent days are fully taken on board as people in the north west and across Ireland welcome the historic appointment of a black mayor.
