The SDLP in a New Administration

For the first time in twenty five years the SDLP enters an election which will see it in a partnership administration. In accordance with SDLP policy the Agreement ensures that all the people of Northern Ireland are empowered, through institutions based on a new partnership between our communities, to shape our own future economically and socially as well as politically. Both our major communities will be represented at all levels in the new administration of Northern Ireland in a way that reflects their democratic mandates. In the new administration the SDLP will play its part in working to implement the proposals of the Agreement in all the major issues - new political structures, human rights, reform of police and justice, prisoners, the demilitarisation of society, and of course, socio-economic development.

Constitutional issues

Since its foundation the SDLP has been committed to the principle that it is for the people of Ireland alone, with the consent of both parts of the island respectively, freely and concurrently given, to determine their relationships with each other and with the people of Britain. Our party constitution, drawn up in 1970, enshrined that principle and set the SDLP's face firmly against coercion to bring about constitutional change. On May 22nd the people of all of Ireland exercised their right of self determination. They emphatically and overwhelmingly endorsed the principles of consent and democracy and expressed their utter rejection of the use of violence to pursue political objectives. This has been and remains the consistent policy of the SDLP.

The Assembly and the Executive

The SDLP will enter the Assembly and the administration of Northern Ireland to secure social and economic justice for all. Our party negotiators in the all-party talks ensured that the new body would be effective, would be genuinely committed to responsibility sharing and would be operated on the principle of 'parallel consent' so that key decisions, in both the Assembly and the Executive will be taken on a cross community basis. We will review the structure of administration of Northern Ireland so that the terms of the Agreement may be implemented fully. We seek the return of the maximum number of SDLP candidates at this election to make the Assembly, the Executive and the other new institutions created by the Agreement,

work positively and effectively. This is particularly vital in the transitional, or 'shadow' phase of the Assembly's life when attempts will undoubtedly be made to wreck the establishment of new institutions, by those who refuse to heed or accept the democratic verdict of the people.

North/South Structures

As proposed by the SDLP there will be a North/South Ministerial Council in which Ministers from both parts of Ireland will meet to consult and take decisions by agreement on a wide range of matters of mutual concern and interest. Supported by a Secretariat, and by Implementation Bodies which will report directly to it, the Council will be a powerful agent for co-ordinating and developing policies to meet needs in both parts of the island. The model for the Council's operation is that of the European Council of Ministers and it is one that has been long advocated by the SDLP. In the negotiations the SDLP ensured that North/South institutions and the Assembly will be established at the same time and that neither can exist without the other. The SDLP will work constructively in the Ministerial Council to achieve the maximum harmonisation of social and economic provision throughout Ireland.

British/Irish Council

A consultative British/Irish Council is to be established under a new British/Irish agreement to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the people of these islands. SDLP representatives will play a full part in the workings of the Council.

Social & Economic Development