High hopes but a modest return
Taking up the social development remit in 2007, the SDLP has arguably delivered on its housing priorities but has had little influence elsewhere.
“The SDLP can deliver a United Ireland”, the party’s 2005 manifesto boldly states. Its view of unity, it said, should not be feared by unionists as the same rights and protections that exist for the nationalist community would be in place for them within a united Ireland.
Further North/South development was a running theme. The level of co-operation was to be expanded to “reach its true potential”.
A squeeze on the moderate parties was confirmed after the 2005 election. Both the UUP and SDLP lost seats to their respective rivals. Seamus Mallon’s decision not to seek re-election in Newry and Armagh resulted in Dominic Bradley
being unable to hold the seat against Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy, though the party still returned three seats, adding South Belfast to holds in South Down and Foyle.
Two years later the party would take up the social development brief when devolution was restored.
Housing
The New Housing Agenda was launched by Margaret Ritchie in 2008 and put new builds at the top of the to-do list.
The party also pledged to “tackle fuel poverty”, though the DSD estimates that the number of fuel-poor households in Northern Ireland has gone up since 2006. That, though, is partly due to a rapid and
sudden rise in fuel prices since 2008, which the SDLP could not have foreseen.
Topically, Ritchie’s Building Sound Foundations strategy, published in March, fulfils the commitment to extend mandatory licensing to private landlords and improve protection for private tenants.
Health
A Northern Ireland target for reducing child poverty would be sought. In the agreed Programme for Government, a target was set for cutting the problem by 50 per cent by this year and its total eradication by 2020.
The party was committed to an increase in the basic state pension. For an individual in April 2005 it was £82.05; over the five years it has increased to £95.25. Northern Ireland operates in parity with Great Britain and therefore any changes to the pension here will have been decided at Westminster, where local MPs have limited influence.
Every penny of health spending increases was to be made directly available to front line services. That budget had been due for an increase each year until 2010- 2011, though Michael McGimpsey now has to make cuts of around £100 million, according to the spending review voted for by the Executive.
Justice
Policing and justice powers, the SDLP contended, should arrive in Northern Ireland within 18 months of the election i.e. by December 2006. Patten should also be fully implemented. Indeed the party supported the NIO extending 50:50 recruitment for another year in March but Alex Attwood has called for the process to run on for another 15 years.
Ensuring cross-community safeguards “so no unionist-dominated Home Affairs Ministry” could exist was a high priority. The SDLP has opposed the new justice minister being chosen by a cross- community vote, opting instead for a re- run of d’Hondt.
Governance
One of the first points made in the SDLP manifesto was to “secure a repeal of the Suspension Act and an end to stop-go politics”. That power has since been axed in the St Andrews Agreement in 2006, though other parties would also claim responsibility for that.
The party said that the Review of Public Administration should be used to make government “more responsive, accountable, decentralised and efficient”. RPA is arguably reaching its conclusion under the control of Edwin Poots. Councils will amalgamate from 26 to 11, with the first elections still due to take place in May 2011.
The SDLP sought to introduce a legal requirement to share power at local council level, akin to the Assembly system. That remains an aim for the party but could make its way into statute should the local government decision- making system change.
It had also planned to introduce a fairer rates system “based on the ability to pay”. That would mean an end to property-rich, income-poor residents. Ability to pay has not as yet been taken into account by the three DUP finance ministers.
The party also has missed out on its commitment to legislate to require decentralisation which would relocate 2,000 jobs by 2010. Sir George Bain did report on public sector relocation in 2008 but Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has since decided that it would be too costly in the short term.
Transport
In 2005 the SDLP pledged to secure major investment for the Belfast-Derry railway line. While Northern Ireland Railways has invested in new trains, this funding has been rolled out across the province and not specifically on that line.
The commitment for all pensioners to be able to travel for free around Ireland has come to fruition. Conor Murphy has introduced smart passes for people aged over 65. That entitles holders to free travel on all Translink services in Northern Ireland and all routes in the Republic.
In 2007 Alasdair McDonnell welcomed Aer Lingus’ new Belfast to Heathrow route as “good business”, after the party said it would “guarantee air access” to the west London airport from Northern Ireland.
Economy
The party pledged to campaign for entry into the euro as it could raise farmers’ incomes. It remains entirely in the pro- eurozone camp in spite of the difficulties the economic area has experienced since 2007.
Tourism was to be supported as a key growth sector and a “comprehensive” strategy was, in 2005, required for the industry. Arlene Foster has recently launched a consultation on the industry’s route up to 2020.
Business growth was to be supported with a rates relief system. From April small businesses have been eligible for a reduction in rates of up to 50 per cent for five years.
Culture
An Irish Language Act has remained high on the party’s agenda since the election in 2005. Indeed Dominic Bradley has since launched a private member’s Bill on the subject, after it was clear DCAL was not going to pursue a legislative route.
Support was promised for an Olympic- sized swimming pool, which is now under construction in Bangor. All-island coverage of RTÉ and TG4 was confirmed soon after the Hillsborough Agreement and fulfils a 2005 commitment.
Education
Like Sinn Féin, the SDLP pledged to end the use of the 11 plus. Caitríona Ruane has controversially de-regulated the transfer process and the SDLP have been one of four parties calling for a resolution to the debate, which could include an interim testing process.
Further on in school life, the party also suggested replacing A-levels with a post- 16 curriculum to “widen career options”. More vocational subjects have been introduced for study after GCSEs but A- levels have remained in place.
Top-up fees were opposed by the party, but came into force for new students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2006.
International
The party pledged its continued support for the cancellation of developing countries’ debt, while also supporting the creation of a Palestinian state.
EU enlargement in 2004 was also warmly welcomed as it would provide opportunities for job creation and development. 2007 saw the accession of Bulgaria and Romania while Croatia and Turkey are now accepted as valid candidates.
Summed up
· 3 MPs
· 125,626 votes
· 17.5% overall share
· 41.6% nationalist share
Assessment
· Delivered in housing
· Minimal impact elsewhere
· Vociferous campaigners
