Claire Hanna is set to take over at the helm of the SDLP. She will be seventh leader since the formation of the party and its second female leader.
The South Belfast and Mid Down MP is widely considered one of the north’s most effective politicians. She easily outshines many of her rather lacklustre contemporaries, fizzling with energy and drive. Her authenticity means that she can attract support far beyond traditional SDLP voters.
For many, though, the main thing is that she is relatable. She is one of the few of our politicians that looks like she might be fun to hang out with.
Like half the population, it would seem, she wasted hours of her life on Saturday morning failing to secure Oasis tickets. She also revealed in the post-ticket debacle banter that she almost managed to see them in Dublin in 1996 but was grounded when her parents found a bottle of cider in her bag, as she was heading out the door for the bus.
Charismatic political leadership is of course about much more than being a good television performer or confident orator – it’s about principles, tenacity and realism. The ability to listen and take heed.
Claire is first and foremost a social democrat. The fact that she considered quitting the party over the ill-fated 2019 partnership with Fianna Fáil highlighted the depth of her conviction.
She knows only too well the huge challenges that she has on her hands. The SDLP is a much diminished force. There is no prospect of a return to their halcyon days in the north. The tectonic plates have shifted, and they must accept this new reality and work out their raison d’etre. Voters have a broad idea of what the other parties offer but with SDLP, it is less obvious.
A key question is can the new leader make this smaller party coherent and relevant? Influence and the ability to shape and frame political narrative are not confined to dominant parties.
What are the core principles in terms of civil rights, reconciliation and social justice in this post-conflict society? They must tell a different story and one which strikes a chord with those who are tired of empty slogans and endless promises of jam tomorrow.
Success will depend on a number of factors. Firstly, her ability to unite the party and end the factionalism. The bitter legacy from the Eastwood leadership take-over has lingered for far too long. Internal tensions between the rural conservatives and the largely urban modernists need to be addressed. In any political party there is room for nuances and different interpretations, but it must look and act like a coherent, disciplined machine.
Claire can’t hope to revive the fortunes of this party without a compelling vision and a united team supporting her. There is a famous story of a well-known horse owner who said to Lester Piggott after a race: “I thought you were going to come through, Lester.” The jockey replied: “You can’t win without the horse.”
Secondly, while Colum Eastwood has already done much of the heavy lifting on policy issues such as same-sex marriage, there is much work to be done on communication and messaging. It is simply not credible to publicly endorse the Bengoa plan while simultaneously actively blocking long overdue reconfiguration of health services. Parish-pump politics must not be allowed to trump agreed policy positions. There is either a party position on major issues or there isn’t.
Thirdly, the SDLP have to demonstrate that they have it in them to turn the corner. Their New Ireland Commission could provide the vehicle to illustrate their ability to provide strategic leadership. This constitutional project has failed to ignite – in fact most people seem unaware of its existence. It could play an important role in advancing ideas and options about the future of this island both in the short and long term.
What are the opportunities for synergies, efficiencies and innovation? How can they be realised? What have we learned in the last 30 years about reconciliation and social justice? Not vague aspirations, but evidence, facts, international comparisons and detailed assessments. Despite hype, grandstanding and hot air, momentum and energy has drained away from meaningful constitutional change debates. Despite what Leo Varadkar might say, the south won’t touch it with a bargepole.
There is room for a second nationalist party in the north, one that is constructive and making effective and challenging contributions. Sinn Féin alone cannot deliver Irish unity. Those who are undecided need to be persuaded that change would significantly better than the status quo.
The collapse of the Scottish independence project clearly illustrates the dangers of having all your eggs in one basket. The SDLP are not dead, but they have stagnated. Claire Hanna now has the opportunity to put her imprimatur on the party.
Change is inevitable. What that change looks like it very much up for grabs.
The SDLP are not dead, but they have stagnated. Claire Hanna now has the opportunity to put her imprimatur on the SDLP.