RESIGNATION SPEECH:MARK DURKAN stepped down from the SDLP leadership with a rousing and emotional call for his party to challenge the domination of Sinn Féin and the DUP at Stormont.
Mr Durkan’s address contained an appeal for his party to remain true to the vocation of politics and public service and to campaign for change. The speech, deeply emotional in places, called for young people to believe in the power of politics to improve lives.
It was interspersed with humour and poked fun at the other Assembly parties especially in the wake of the Hillsborough Agreement on Friday. He began his address with what he called a “simple thank you” to delegates for the “privilege” of leading the party since 2001.
“I will always carry this party’s banner with pride and purpose,” he said. He referred to the difficulties and electoral setbacks: “I won’t pretend that the journey has always been easy. I don’t deny or diminish the setbacks we have suffered. Nor will I forget all that we have achieved together – more than we get credit for and more, sometimes than we credit to ourselves.”
He also claimed that under his leadership the SDLP had only ever done what it believed to be right.
“Right by the principles we uphold, the promises we make, the people we represent and the better prospects they deserve. Right for the community we serve and this country we love.”
He was severely critical of Sinn Féin and the DUP over their decision to elect a new justice minister by a vote in the Assembly rather than using the d’Hondt mechanism used for sharing out Executive seats and which would have given the SDLP its second ministry.
“Sinn Féin have connived with the DUP to circumvent d’Hondt,” he said. “Changing the rules to deny a due outcome, to discriminate against a nationalist party and confer patronage and undue power on a pro-union party used to be called gerrymandering. Today Sinn Féin call it ‘historic progress’ and ‘the best agreement of all’.” He also criticised the Alliance Party which is tipped to provide the new minister for justice.
“Not very long ago, the Alliance Party were arguing against our push for devolution, saying they detected no appetite for it. We know what soon stimulated their appetite,” he said.
“The Alliance Party have spent several years preaching and posing as the party of ‘principled opposition’.
“As they preen themselves for undue office, the opposition will be no more. Because the principle never was.”
Mr Durkan said his party had a great deal to offer, but the potential of the Stormont institutions was not being reached because of the domination at Executive level by the DUP and Sinn Féin.
The SDLP, he said, is dedicated to “keeping our word on a shared society, and a sharing society. Delivering the Bill of Rights promised by the agreement. Driving North/South opportunities – for every citizen in every county. Transforming our country – North and South – for the better and for all.”
He added: “The SDLP are champing at the bit to deliver all that and more. Bursting with good ideas for better government. No party feels more frustrated at all the messing and missed opportunities than we do. People are crying out for change. Fed up with all the instability. Frustrated by the lack of delivery. Sceptical about more hype and spin. We have to persuade them that the best antidote to DUP-Sinn Féin failure is a successful SDLP.”
A significant part of his address concerned the low standing of politicians in the minds of the electorate, especially in the wake of the Hillsborough talk and the expenses scandal.
“Public cynicism is compounded by disturbing allegations of corruption and cover-up,” he said. But he added: “I applaud the committed young activists here today. I assure you that through politics you can cherish your ideals, polish your ideas, listen to needs and make a difference that matters.”