Ritchie named as new SDLP leader
Saturday February 06 2010
Stormont Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has been elected as the new leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in Northern Ireland.
The South Down Assembly member beat South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell in the contest to replace outgoing Mark Durkan at the head of the nationalist party.
Foyle MP Mr Durkan is stepping down from the top post after nine years at the helm.
The result of the vote to select his successor was announced at the final day of the party's conference in Newcastle, Co Down.
Ms Ritchie's victory was met with a rapturous reception from the conference floor, with delegates giving the 51-year-old a prolonged standing ovation.
When a degree of order was restored, the party's sole minister in the power-sharing executive made a bold pledge to revive the SDLP's flagging fortunes and make it the largest party in Northern Ireland.
"Together we can do this," she vowed.
"We can put our party back on top and for the sake of the people of the North we must put our party back on top."
Noting that she had risen from a local councillor to party leader in three shorts years she assured members she was not satisfied yet.
"You may ask if there's no end to this woman's ambition?" she said.
"Well there is - I want our party to rise again and I want to become First Minister."
Press Association
