Madam, – The announcement by Mark Durkan that he will stand down as SDLP leader next year should make everyone pause and consider his major achievements.
Not many politicians on this island can come near to a contribution that included: senior negotiator of the Belfast Agreement, Deputy First Minister, Minister for Finance in the Executive, Member of Parliament for Foyle, and three times elected to the Assembly. All achieved before he was 50, in a climate when moderate nationalism and unionism has been on the back-foot, and in the shadow of John Hume and Seamus Mallon, two giants of Irish politics.
Mr Durkan deserves immense credit and thanks for what he has done for all of us who wish to see a more peaceful, democratic, and lawful Ireland. His internal critics and those who seek to take his place would be well advised to bear in mind the achievements of the man they seek to replace. – Yours, etc,