SDLP LEADER Margaret Ritchie is to stand down at the party’s annual conference in November. Her announcement ends months of speculation about her leadership.
She is also to resign as Assembly member for South Down in order to concentrate on her job as MP for the constituency.
Her decision leaves the way open for a leadership battle between the current deputy leader and Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone and South Belfast MP and Assembly member Dr Alasdair McDonnell, whom she defeated for the top post in February last year.
Party sources said they would be surprised if other candidates did not come forward before the close of nominations for the leadership next Friday.
“After careful consideration and consultation with my colleagues over the summer months I have decided that I will not be seeking nominations for the position of SDLP leader,” Ms Ritchie said last night.
It is understood her decision was taken while she was on holidays in Italy. She had been under pressure since the SDLP performed poorly in the May Assembly elections, dropping two seats from 16 to 14.
That pressure intensified following her controversial decision not to appoint SDLP deputy leader Patsy McGlone to the Stormont Executive and to nominate West Belfast Assembly member Alex Attwood instead.
The simmering discontent about her leadership was exacerbated when Wikileaks disclosures were found to contain unflattering comments about Ms Ritchie by Kamala Lakhdhir, the US consul general in Belfast.
In a “confidential” despatch she wrote that Ms Ritchie appeared “wooden”, “stilted” and burdened with “an unpleasant public speaking voice”. Ms Lakhdhir said she did not have the “rhetorical skills” of her predecessor Mark Durkan.
Last month Mr McGlone confirmed he would stand against her at the party conference in Belfast. He said he was moved to act by colleagues who shared his belief that “now was the time for change”.
Ms Ritchie made clear at the time she would defend her position. “Anyone in the parliamentary assembly group is free to put their name forward if they get the nominations,” she said. “But at the end of the day, I am the leader.”
Mr McGlone is the only declared candidate to succeed her but there would be astonishment if Dr McDonnell, the rival she defeated for the leadership 19 months ago, did not also stand. He is due to announce his decision on Monday.
He paid tribute to Ms Ritchie who last year consolidated South Down as a safe SDLP Westminster seat against unionist and Sinn Féin opposition.
Her predecessor and mentor Eddie McGrady first captured the seat from Enoch Powell of the Ulster Unionists in 1987.
Dr McDonnell said it was “unfortunate that circumstances around the last election put her in a vulnerable position”, adding: “I hope that she remains a key leader in the SDLP team”.
Ms Ritchie said the role of the party leader was all-consuming. “I have decided that the best way I can serve the SDLP in the future is as MP for South Down, continuing to work for and serve those who have always been my first priority, the people of South Down,” she said.
“I would also assure those from South Down and throughout the North who have given me great support and encouragement that I will continue to serve the SDLP and work towards the renewal of the party and the completion of the work I have set in motion,” she added.
DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson paid tribute to Ms Ritchie last night, praising her work as a former Stormont minister.