UK Elections 2015

Leader: Alasdair McDonnell

Born in 1970 out of the civil rights movement, the SDLP is the second largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland, drawing support mainly from within the Catholic community. The SDLP advocates Irish unification and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the UK. The SDLP initially rejected the Nationalist Party's policy of abstentionism and sought to fight for civil rights within the Stormont system. However, the SDLP quickly came to the view that Stormont was unreformable, and withdrew from parliamentary involvement.

Election promises:

• Work against the cut in the 10p tax rate

• Refused to accept 42-day detention

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