Northern Ireland Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie is to bid for leadership of the SDLP.
The South Down MLA said she enjoyed the support of half the party’s Assembly members following Mark Durkan’s decision to stand down when the annual conference takes place in February.
Nominations for the election open on November 1st.
“I have a comprehensive plan for the renewal of the party and an exciting vision for the way forward,” Ms Ritchie said today. “I will be setting out that vision to the broad party membership and to the wider public thereafter.”