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04/12/2009
Durkan Will Fight Foyle Seat
SDLP Leader Mark Durkan has been selected to contest his own Foyle parliamentary seat at the next UK general election.
Mr Durkan, the sitting Westminster MP, said it would be "an honour and a challenge" to continue to represent the Derry constituency.
He was proposed by leadership predecessor John Hume and seconded by Margaret Duffy.
Mr Durkan announced his plans to stand down from the helm of the SDLP in the autumn.
He said relinquishing the role would allow him to focus more on parliamentary work.
The 49-year-old will stay on as leader until the party's conference in February.
Two contenders are vying for the leadership - the party's only Executive minister Margaret Ritchie and deputy leader, south Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell.
Last night, Mr Durkan said: "Focusing on the MP role will enable me to spend more time working on North/South matters through the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement committee, on tackling the big challenges that Derry will face from Westminster.
"The SDLP is planning a strong grassroots campaign so that we secure the votes we need to continue to serve the people of this city though challenging times to better prospects."
(PR/BMcc)
Mr Durkan, the sitting Westminster MP, said it would be "an honour and a challenge" to continue to represent the Derry constituency.
He was proposed by leadership predecessor John Hume and seconded by Margaret Duffy.
Mr Durkan announced his plans to stand down from the helm of the SDLP in the autumn.
He said relinquishing the role would allow him to focus more on parliamentary work.
The 49-year-old will stay on as leader until the party's conference in February.
Two contenders are vying for the leadership - the party's only Executive minister Margaret Ritchie and deputy leader, south Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell.
Last night, Mr Durkan said: "Focusing on the MP role will enable me to spend more time working on North/South matters through the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement committee, on tackling the big challenges that Derry will face from Westminster.
"The SDLP is planning a strong grassroots campaign so that we secure the votes we need to continue to serve the people of this city though challenging times to better prospects."
(PR/BMcc)
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Senior ranking SDLP members are poised to battle it out for the party leadership, after Mark Durkan announced his intentions to stand down at the weekend. Mr Durkan, who has led the North's nationalist party since 2001, said he would resign as leader and an MLA if reelected to the House of Commons at the next general election.
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Ritchie's Leadership 'Nod'
The SDLP's sole Executive minister could be set to stand as its new party leader. South Down MLA Margaret Richie said she is considering contesting the leadership battle next year. Incumbent leader Mark Durkan has already made his intentions to stand down clear. The Foyle MP said he would step aside to focus on Westminster work.
Ritchie's Leadership 'Nod'
The SDLP's sole Executive minister could be set to stand as its new party leader. South Down MLA Margaret Richie said she is considering contesting the leadership battle next year. Incumbent leader Mark Durkan has already made his intentions to stand down clear. The Foyle MP said he would step aside to focus on Westminster work.
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