Social Democratic and Labour Party

The party was founded on 21 August 1970, when six Stormont MPs (Gerry Fitt, Republican Labour Party; Austin Currie, Nationalist Party; Paddy Devlin, Northern Ireland Labour Party; John Hume, Ivan Cooper and Paddy O'Hanlon, Independent) and one Senator (Paddy Wilson, Republican Labour), joined to form a new party. They were joined on 10 November by a second Senator (Claude Wilton, Ulster Liberal Party), bringing the total parliamentary party to eight members.{{Cite web |title=Derry City Cemetery Series: The Wilton's: Father, son and uncle who made their mark on Derry for very different reasons |url=https://www.derrynow.com/news/features/439318/derry-city-cemetery-series-the-wiltons-father-son-and-uncle-who-made-their-mark-on-derry-for-very-different-reasons.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.derrynow.com |date=14 March 2019 |language=en}} Gerry Fitt was chosen to lead the new party while John Hume was appointed its deputy. Paddy Wilson also became the party’s first General Secretary.

The smaller National Democratic Party dissolved itself in October of that year and encouraged all its members to join the new party.{{Cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Thomas G. |title=Native vs. Settler: Ethnic Conflict in Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland and South Africa |publisher=Bloomsbury 3PL |year=2000 |isbn=978-0313313578}} Additionally, individual members and branches from other parties joined including from the Irish Labour Party, Nationalist Party, Northern Ireland Labour Party, Republican Labour Party and Ulster Liberal Party.{{cite book |author1=Jörg Neuheiser |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3dUdFjqNCO4C&pg=PA46 |title=Peace at Last?: The Impact of the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland |author2=Stefan Wolff |date=1 January 2004 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-1-57181-658-0 |page=46 |access-date=26 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530035552/http://books.google.com/books?id=3dUdFjqNCO4C&pg=PA46 |archive-date=30 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

The SDLP contested its first election in a by-election for the Belfast St. Anne’s seat on 12 November. Their candidate Gerry Laverty won 24.2% of the vote in the traditionally Unionist seat.{{Cite book |last1=Flackes |first1=William D. |title=Northern Ireland: A Political Directory, 1968-1993 |last2=Elliott |first2=Sydney |publisher=Blackstaff Press |year=1994 |isbn=9780856405273}}

The SDLP initially rejected the Nationalist Party's policy of abstentionism and sought to fight for civil rights within the Stormont system.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Conor |date=29 August 2019 |title=Why Brexit Won't Change Sinn Féin's Abstention from the UK Parliament |url=https://blog.politics.ox.ac.uk/understanding-sinn-feins-abstention-from-the-uk-parliament/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=6 March 2023 |website=Oxpol}} However, the SDLP quickly came to the view that Stormont was unreformable, refusing to attend the state opening on 18 June 1971, and withdrawing altogether in response the shooting dead of Seamus Cusack and Desmond Beattie in Derry on 8 July.{{Cite web |last=Mulholland |first=Marc |title=The End of Stormont and imposition of direct rule in 1972 |url=https://www.gale.com/binaries/content/assets/au-resources-in-product/northernireland_essay_stormont.pdf}}

On 15 August the SDLP announced they would lead a Campaign of Civil Disobedience in response to the introduction of internment the previous week. This involved the withdrawal of SDLP representatives from public bodies, the organisation of a rent and rates strike and SDLP MPs participating in a 48 hour hunger strike outside 10 Downing Street.{{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=Sarah |title=Gerry Fitt and the SDLP: 'In a minority of one' |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-7190-9805-5}}

The SDLP held its first annual conference in Dungiven on 23 October that year. The party adopted its draft constitution, Eddie McGrady was elected the party’s first chairman while Sheila Carson becomes its first secretary. Several motions were passed including committing the party firmly to socialism, supporting the parliamentary party’s decision to withdraw from Stormont and condemning the 11-plus.{{Cite news |date=25 October 1971 |title=Conference endorses S.D.L.P.'s Boycott of Stormont |pages=5 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}

After the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1972, the SDLP emerged as the largest party representing the nationalist community. On 20 September the party issued its first major policy document, entitled "Towards a New Ireland".{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Issues: Politics: Towards a New Ireland - Proposals by the Social Democratic and Labour Party |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/crights/sdlp1972.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}} It recommended that the British Government issue a declaration that it would recognise that Ireland is better off united, and that as an interim proposal Northern Ireland should be administered jointly by the British and Irish Governments. It also proposed the establishment of a National Senate drawn equally from a devolved Assembly in Belfast and the Oireachtas in Dublin to plan for the integration of the island.

The first major electoral contest for the SDLP were elections to Northern Ireland’s 26 new district councils, held on 30 May 1973. The SDLP won 13.4% of the vote and 82 seats, becoming the second largest party in Northern Ireland and the largest party in the districts of Derry, Magherafelt and Newry and Mourne. Other nationalist parties failed to achieve much success, leaving the SDLP as the largest party representing the nationalist community.{{Cite web |title=Local Government Elections 1973 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg73.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}

Paddy Wilson, the SDLP’s General Secretary and councillor in the new Belfast City Council was murdered on the 26 June, two days before the election to the new Northern Ireland Assembly. Wilson and another woman, Irene Andrews, were killed by the UFF, a codename for the UDA. John White was later convicted for his part in the killings.{{Cite news |date=27 June 1973 |title=Tributes to Paddy Wilson, the 'Man of Peace' |work=The Irish News}}

Following publication of the British Government’s White Paper, elections were held to the new Northern Ireland Assembly on 28 June, where the party won 19 out of 75 seats and once again emerged as the voice of the nationalist community, increasing its vote share to 22% of the vote.{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1973 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa73.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}} Negotiations occurred throughout October and November on the formation of a new power-sharing Executive to govern Northern Ireland with the SDLP, UUP and Alliance taking part. On 21 November Northern Ireland Secretary of State, William Whitelaw, announced that agreement had been reached on the composition and functions of the new Executive, with the SDLP entitled to four of the eleven members and a further two non-Executive office holders. Agreement was still to be reached on many other aspects of the White Paper, particularly regarding the Council of Ireland.{{Cite book |last=Devlin |first=Paddy |title=Straight Left: An Autobiography |publisher=Blackstaff Press Ltd |year=1993 |isbn=978-0856405143}}

Following discussions between the British Prime Minister and Irish Taoiseach, as well as the political parties, it was announced on 9 December at Sunningdale that an agreement had been reached on the remaining elements of the White Paper, including the implementation of a Council of Ireland.{{Cite news |date=1973-12-09 |title=1973: Sunningdale Agreement signed |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/9/newsid_2536000/2536767.stm |access-date=2023-08-14}}

On 1 January 1974 the Northern Ireland Executive took office, with Gerry Fitt as Deputy Chief Executive, John Hume as Minister of Commerce, Paddy Devlin as Minister of Health and Social Services and Austin Currie as Minister of Housing, Local Government and Planning.

The SDLP faced its first Westminster election shortly afterwards in February in what became a referendum on power-sharing. The anti-power-sharing Unionists united under the UUUC banner and won 11 seats, with Gerry Fitt being the only pro-power-sharing MP returned, dealing a critical blow to the fledgling Executive. The Executive eventually collapsed after 5 months following several weeks of the Ulster Workers’ Council strike.{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Events: Ulster Workers' Council Strike - Chronology |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/uwc/chr.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}

Attempting to find agreement, the Secretary of State called elections for a Constitutional Convention on 1 May 1975, for which the SDLP won 17 seats and 24% of the vote.{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention Elections 1975 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fc75.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}} The UUUC however won a majority of seats and votes, the Constitutional Convention made no progress and the British Government brought it to an end in early 1976. Later that year on 1 September SDLP member Denis Mullen was shot dead at his home.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-14 |title=Plucky pensioner ready to confront UVF killer who murdered husband |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/plucky-pensioner-ready-to-confront-uvf-killer-who-murdered-husband/40934991.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=SundayWorld.com |language=en}}

Following the failure of the Constitutional Convention the SDLP continued searching for a long term solution, at times engaging in talks with the UUP. In 1977 the party issued a policy document titled "Facing Reality". This called for the party to put a stronger emphasis on the "Irish dimension". In response to this perceived move away from the party’s Labour values Paddy Devlin, then party chairperson, resigned from the party.

In 1978 SDLP deputy leader John Hume presented his proposal for an "agreed Ireland". In contrast to the two main options at the time of full integration into Britain or full withdrawal, Hume’s solution proposed the British government declaring that its aim was to bring the main traditions in Ireland together in reconciliation.{{Cite book |last=Farren |first=Seán |title=John Hume: In His Own Words |publisher=Four Courts Press Ltd |year=2017 |isbn=978-1846826535}}

After years of little progress 1979 brought considerably more action for the SDLP. A vote of confidence in the Labour Government failed in March that year. Gerry Fitt abstained on the vote as the Government had failed to act on the Bennett Report into RUC interrogation techniques.{{Cite news |date=2009-03-31 |title=The Night the Government Fell |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7972582.stm |access-date=2023-08-14}} In the following general election, the Conservatives came to power in Westminster and Fitt held his seat in Belfast West.

In June that year the first direct election to the European Parliament were held. The SDLP candidate was John Hume who won a seat with 25% of the first preference vote. He went on to sit in the Socialist Group in the European Parliament.{{Cite web |title=John Hume: Northern Ireland's peace-maker and committed European {{!}} Think Tank {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)733515 |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en}}

The new Conservative Secretary of State, Humphrey Atkins, invited Northern Ireland parties including the SDLP to a conference on the future of Northern Ireland. There was intense debate in the SDLP whether or not to attend a conference which would not discuss any all-island dimension, with Gerry Fitt wanting to attend regardless of any discussion on an "Irish dimension" while many others, including John Hume, refusing to attend. As a result of this dispute Fitt resigned as SDLP leader.{{Cite book |last=Murphy |first=Michael |title=Gerry Fitt - A Political Chameleon |publisher=Mercier Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-1856355315}} On 28 November John Hume was elected as his replacement, and Seamus Mallon became his deputy.{{Cite book |last1=Mallon |first1=Seamus |title=A Shared Home Place |last2=Pollak |first2=Andy |publisher=The Lilliput Press Ltd |year=2019 |isbn=978-1843517634}}

The SDLP eventually made the decision to attend the Atkins conference, on the condition that there would be parallel discussions involving the "Irish dimension". These talks, like others, failed to reach agreement.{{Cite web |title=Conservative Party: Atkins letter to MT ("Party Conference 1981") [Atkins inclined to seek a debate on Northern Ireland during Party Conference] [declassified 2011] {{!}} Margaret Thatcher Foundation |url=https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/125266 |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.margaretthatcher.org}}

Following the death of Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Frank Maguire and the selection of hunger striker Bobby Sands as a candidate in the following by-election the SDLP decided to withdraw Austin Currie as their candidate.{{Cite book |last=Currie |first=Austin |title=All Hell Will Break Loose |publisher=O'Brien |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-86278-815-5}} The election was held on 9 April and Bobby Sands won the seat by a slim margin. As the strikes went on, SDLP leader John Hume met Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to ask that she concede some of the demands of the hunger strikers. No agreement was forthcoming. When Sands died, the SDLP also stood aside for Owen Carron, who also won the seat by a narrow margin.{{Cite web |title=Fermanagh and South Tyrone, 1983-1992 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/bfst.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}

The hunger strikes also had an impact on the electoral fortunes of the SDLP. In local government elections in 1981 the SDLP vote share fell to 17.5% as nationalist voters began to support more candidates from parties like the Irish Independence Party and Irish Republican Socialist Party.{{Cite web |title=Local Government Elections 1981 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg81.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}

In Spring 1982 Northern Ireland Secretary of State Jim Prior proposed “rolling devolution” by which a consultative Assembly be established. John Hume labelled the proposals as unworkable as they offered no realistic prospect of power-sharing or offered any role for the Irish Government.{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Events: The Northern Ireland Assembly, November 1982 to June 1986 - A Chronology of Main Events |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/assembly1982/chronology.htm |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}

In May of that year the SDLP secured a seat in Seanad Éireann as new Taoiseach Charles Haughey appointed SDLP Deputy Leader Seamus Mallon to serve as a voice for Northern nationalists.

As the elections to the Assembly approached the party announced that although it would contest the election, none of its representatives would take their seats. The election, held on 20 October, mirrored the SDLP’s performance in the local elections the previous year as the party won 18.8% of the vote and took 14 seats. The decision by Sinn Féin to stand also had an impact on the SDLP vote as the party, considered to be the political wing of the Provisional IRA, took 10.1% of the vote and 5 seats.

As a result of Seamus Mallon’s membership of Seanad Éireann he was removed as a member of the Assembly and a by-election was held in Armagh the following spring. The SDLP called for a boycott and amidst low turnout the UUP won the election.

In the lead up to the 1982 Assembly election the SDLP proposed a “Council for a New Ireland” in its manifesto. This, with the assistance of the Irish Government, was realised in the creation of the New Ireland Forum in March 1983. It was a forum “all democratic parties which reject violence and which have members elected or appointed to either House of the Oireachtas or the Northern Ireland Assembly”. The SDLP, along with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour all joined. The Forum met for the first time on 30 May with five SDLP members: John Hume, Austin Currie, Joe Hendron, Eddie McGrady and Seamus Mallon.{{Cite news |title=New Ireland Forum helped begin process of changing hearts and minds |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/new-ireland-forum-helped-begin-process-of-changing-hearts-and-minds-1.2429143 |access-date=2023-10-26 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}

Submissions were taken from sectors, individuals and organisations across the island of Ireland, examining the long-term future of the island. After a year of work the Forum published its report in May 1984, detailing three possible structures for a new Ireland. The three options of a unitary state, federal/confederal state and joint authority were rooted in previous SDLP policy and went on to influence the policies of the Irish Government and the major political parties in the Republic in relation to Northern Ireland in the following decade.{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Issues: Politics: New Ireland Forum Report, 1984 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/nifr.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}

In the general election in June 1983 the SDLP failed to regain the seat in Belfast West it had lost when Gerry Fitt resigned from the party. However, John Hume was elected to the House of Commons for the new constituency of Foyle.{{Cite web |title=Westminster election 1983 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fw83.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}} The following year Hume also retained his seat in the European Parliament.{{Cite web |title=The 1984 European Election |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fe84.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}}

Throughout the 1970s and 80s SDLP leader John Hume used his connections with influential Irish-American politicians Tip O'Neill, Ted Kennedy, Daniel Moynihan and Hugh Carey to push the SDLP’s analysis of the division and conflict on the island of Ireland.{{Cite book |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Maurice |title=John Hume in America: From Derry to DC |publisher=Irish Academic Press |year=2017 |isbn=978-1911024958}} The “Four Horsemen” and other senior politicians persuaded President Ronald Reagan to encourage British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to work with the Irish Government to agree a collective way forward. Negotiations began in early 1985 and concluded on 15 November with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.{{Cite book |last1=McGarry |first1=John |title=The Northern Ireland Conflict: Consociational Engagements |last2=O'Leary |first2=Brendan |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2004}}

Although the agreement was supported by the SDLP, it faced considerable opposition from Unionist parties. Fifteen Unionist MPs resigned their Westminster seats forcing by-elections in January 1986. The SDLP targeted constituencies where support for the Anglo-Irish Agreement was strongest and subsequently managed to win Newry and Armagh, where deputy leader Seamus Mallon won the seat from the Ulster Unionists.{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Westminster By-Elections (NI) Thursday 23 January 1986 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rw1986.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}

This success continued into the 1987 general election where the SDLP’s support for the agreement saw its vote rise to levels last seen when the party was first founded in the early 70s, mostly at the expense of Sinn Féin. In addition to holding both their current seats, Eddie McGrady won the seat of South Down from Enoch Powell, finally ending his political career.{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Westminster General Election (NI) Thursday 11 June 1987 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rw1987.htm |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}

In January 1988 SDLP Leader John Hume began a series of secret talks with Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams which lasted until August of that year.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-04 |title=Hume-Adams talks laid the foundations of the peace process |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/08/04/news/hume-adams-talks-laid-the-foundations-of-the-peace-process-2025157/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}

The following year local government elections were held. These elections saw the Party’s best result at a local election since its foundation, winning 21% of the vote and 121 seats.{{Cite web |date=May 1989 |title=Results 1989 Northern Ireland Local General Election |url=https://www.eoni.org.uk/getmedia/c747b644-74fb-4401-a84f-1900f7818722/local_government_election_results_1989}} These came mostly at the expense of Sinn Féin, who voters began to turn away from following a number of IRA atrocities. In the European Election that June, John Hume increased the SDLP vote to 25%.{{Cite web |title=The 1989 European Election |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fe89.htm |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}} In April 1992 the SDLP reached their electoral high point, as Joe Hendron won the Belfast West seat at the expense of Gerry Adams. The SDLP now had four MPs.{{Cite news |date=2022-11-28 |title=Joe Hendron at 90: A fearless man with an extraordinary spirit |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comment/joe-hendron-at-90-a-fearless-man-with-an-extraordinary-spirit/42177716.html |access-date=2024-01-15 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

In late 1992, knowledge of talks between John Hume and Gerry Adams became public. The talks were criticised by many, both within the SDLP and outside. The talks would eventually lead to the Downing Street Declaration by British Prime Minister John Major and Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, which laid the ground for a ceasefire and negotiations.{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Stephen |title=John Hume: the Persuader |date=2023 |publisher=Gill Books |isbn=978-0-7171-9608-1 |edition=Erstausgabe |location=Dublin}}

Throughout 1994, SDLP representatives continued to face attacks from paramilitaries, as loyalists burnt out Joe Hendron’s car while Councillor John Fee was beaten by Republicans outside his home.{{Cite web |title=A Roman Catholic councillor who publicly condemned an IRA... - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/03/24/A-Roman-Catholic-councillor-who-publicly-condemned-an-IRA/4201764485200/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=UPI |language=en}} On 31 August the IRA announced a ceasefire, followed shortly afterwards by the loyalist paramilitaries. Hume, Adams and Reynolds met in Dublin and publicly shook hands. The SDLP Leader called for peace negotiations to begin without delay.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-30 |title=IRA ceasefire remembered 25 years on |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2019/08/30/news/ira-ceasefire-remembered-25-years-on-1698831/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}

Throughout 1995 the SDLP continued to engage in talks with the Irish and British Governments, and with other political parties to establish formal all-party talks. They suggested appointing former US Senator George Mitchell to oversee an international body on arms decommissioning. The Government then established this body which produced the “Mitchell Principles” which parties will be required to meet if they were to enter talks.{{Cite book |last=Murray, Gerard. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1131510536 |title=Sinn Féin and the SDLP : from alienation to participation |date=2005 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=1-4039-6860-8 |oclc=1131510536}} Following this, the Prime Minister John Major announced details of an election to a Forum which will comprise the parties involved in talks. The election took place in May 1996 where the SDLP took 24% of the vote and 21 seats.{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Forum Election (NI) Thursday 30 May 1996 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rf1996.htm |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}

Leading up to the next general election there was some speculation on the SDLP forming an electoral pact with Sinn Féin. SDLP Leader John Hume stated that this would only be considered in the event of an IRA ceasefire and Sinn Féin agreeing to end their policy of abstentionism.{{Cite web |title=Sinn Fein Press Release |url=http://www.sinnfein.org/releases/pr021997.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.sinnfein.org}} The May 1997 election yielded mixed results for the SDLP.{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Politics: Elections: Westminster General Election (NI) Thursday 1 May 1997 |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/politics/election/rw1997.htm |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}} The party increased its vote share to its highest ever level, however lost their seat in Belfast West to Sinn Féin. In the local elections held a few weeks later the SDLP also increased its vote share but lost seven seats.{{Cite web |title=Local Government Elections 1997 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/flg97.htm |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.ark.ac.uk}} After the election Alban Maginness was appointed Lord Mayor of Belfast, becoming the first nationalist to hold this position.{{Cite web |last=agendaNi |date=2011-09-07 |title=Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee |url=https://www.agendani.com/enterprise-trade-and-investment-committee/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=agendaNi |language=en-GB}}

Following changes of government in Ireland and the UK talks reconvened in autumn of 1997. The SDLP participated in these talks alongside other parties. Agreement was finally reached on 10 April 1998 when the SDLP, seven other parties, the British and Irish Governments signed the Good Friday Agreement.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=Good Friday Agreement {{!}} British-Irish Peace Process, 1998 Referendum {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Good-Friday-Agreement |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} In the subsequent referendum the SDLP campaigned for a “Yes” vote, with SDLP leader John Hume appearing onstage with U2 frontman Bono and UUP leader David Trimble.{{Cite web |last=Bailie |first=Stuart |title=On this day in 1998: U2, Ash, John Hume and David Trimble took part in the historic Good Friday Agreement gig in Belfast |url=https://www.hotpress.com/opinion/on-this-day-in-1998-u2-ash-john-hume-and-david-trimble-took-part-in-the-historic-good-friday-agreement-gig-in-belfast-22906975 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Hotpress}} The result was a resounding victory for the “Yes” campaign, who secured 71.12% in Northern Ireland. Both Hume and Trimble won the Nobel Peace Prize later that year for their efforts in securing the Agreement.{{cite web |title=The Nobel Peace Prize 1998 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1998/summary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522013700/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1998/summary/ |archive-date=22 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020 |website=NobelPrize.org}}

As a result of the Agreement, elections to a new Northern Ireland Assembly were held in June 1998; the SDLP emerged as the second-largest party overall, and the largest nationalist party, with 24 out of 108 seats.{{cite web |last1=Whyte |first1=Nicholas |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998 |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm |website=Northern Ireland Elections |publisher=ARK |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308045247/https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm |url-status=live }} The party was then returned to government later in the year when a power-sharing Executive was established for Northern Ireland. The SDLP took office alongside the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and Sinn Féin, and the SDLP's Seamus Mallon became Deputy First Minister alongside the UUP's First Minister, David Trimble.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9807/01/n.ireland.assembly.02/index.html |title=Trimble, Mallon elected leaders of N. Irish Assembly |access-date=18 May 2020 |date=1 July 1998 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924192157/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9807/01/n.ireland.assembly.02/index.html |url-status=live }}

Upon Mallon's retirement in 2001, Mark Durkan succeeded him as Deputy First Minister.

There had been a debate in the party on the prospects of amalgamation with Fianna Fáil.{{cite news | url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/northernirelandassembly/story/0,,2052641,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=SDLP could unite with Fianna Fáil | first=Henry | last=McDonald | date=8 April 2007 | access-date=23 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518060904/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/northernirelandassembly/story/0,,2052641,00.html | archive-date=18 May 2007 | url-status=live }} Little came of this speculation and former party leader Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick rejected the idea. Speaking at the 2010 Irish Labour Party national conference in Galway she said that a merger would not happen while she was leader – "Merger with Fianna Fáil? Not on my watch."{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0419/1224268629876.html | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=SDLP leader Ritchie rules out merger with Fianna Fáil | date=4 April 2010 | access-date=8 February 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201004146/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0419/1224268629876.html | archive-date=1 February 2011 | url-status=live }} After his election as Fianna Fáil Leader in January 2011, Micheál Martin repeatedly dismissed the possibility of a merger or electoral alliance with the SDLP. In January 2019, the SDLP membership were e-mailed on the issue with the text "continuing on as normal is not an option", a reference to the party's declining fortunes.{{cite news| url=https://www.derrynow.com/news/sdlp-fianna-fail-merger-email-sent-sdlp-membership-says-continuing-normal-not-option/263793| work=Derry Now| title=SDLP-Fianna Fail 'merger': Email sent to SDLP membership says 'continuing on as normal is not an option'| date=4 January 2019| access-date=5 January 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105201546/https://www.derrynow.com/news/sdlp-fianna-fail-merger-email-sent-sdlp-membership-says-continuing-normal-not-option/263793| archive-date=5 January 2019| url-status=live}}

In February 2019, at a special party conference, the members approved a partnership with Fianna Fáil,{{cite news|date=9 February 2019|title=SDLP members back Fianna Fáil partnership|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47179888|url-status=live|access-date=11 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210020638/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47179888|archive-date=10 February 2019}} the main opposition party in the Republic of Ireland. Both parties shared policies on key areas, including addressing the current political situation in Northern Ireland, improving public services in both jurisdictions of Ireland, such as healthcare and education, and bringing about further unity and co-operation of the people on the island and arrangements for a future poll on Irish reunification.{{Cite web |url=https://sluggerotoole.com/2019/01/24/fianna-fail-and-sdlp-announce-joint-partnership/ |title=Fianna Fail and SDLP announce joint partnership |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125230456/https://sluggerotoole.com/2019/01/24/fianna-fail-and-sdlp-announce-joint-partnership/ |archive-date=25 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

Claire Hanna, MLA for Belfast South and party spokesperson on Brexit, quit the assembly group as a result.{{cite news |title=Claire Hanna quits SDLP assembly group |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47200039 |access-date=11 February 2019 |publisher=BBC News |date=11 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212032855/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47200039 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |url-status=live }}

In the lead up to the 2022 Assembly election, party leader Colum Eastwood played down the partnership stating, "The SDLP stands on its own two feet."{{Cite news|title=SDLP leader Colum Eastwood: 'Sinn Fein are focused on themselves and on securing jobs for their friends'|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/northern-ireland-assembly-elections-2022/sdlps-colum-eastwood-sf-are-focused-on-themselves-and-on-securing-jobs-for-their-friends-41354844.html|access-date=2022-02-21|issn=0307-1235}} This led people to commentate that the partnership is no longer active, with comments from as early as 2020 determining that it had been "quietly forgotten".{{cite tweet|title="The SDLP stands on its own two feet." Not that it's new but confirmation that the partnership with FF is dead in the water from the pro side of the SDLP.|number=1494245053941919745|author=David McCann|user=@dmcbfs|date=2022-02-17|access-date=2022-02-21||language=en}}{{cite web|author-first=Aoife |author-last=Moore|date=2022-02-20|title=Future of SDLP Fianna Fáil alliance unclear|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40812633.html|access-date=2022-02-21|website=Irish Examiner}}{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Brendan|date=2020-02-10|title=The SDLP-Fianna Fáil partnership one year on: Historic change or quietly forgotten?|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/politicalnews/2020/02/10/news/the-sdlp-fianna-fa-il-partnership-one-year-on-historic-change-or-quietly-forgotten--1837864/|access-date=2022-02-21|website=The Irish News|language=en}} The partnership officially ended on 28 September 2022.{{cite news |last1=Breen |first1=Suzanne |title=SDLP ends three-year partnership with Fianna Fail as party examines poor Assembly election results |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sdlp-ends-three-year-partnership-with-fianna-fail-as-party-examines-poor-assembly-election-results-42025139.html |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=28 September 2022}}

In contrast to Sinn Féin, which follows a policy of abstentionism, the SDLP MPs have always taken their seat in the Westminster parliament. The party's first MP was leader Gerry Fitt who was already a sitting MP when the SDLP was founded.{{cite web |title=Gerry Fitt |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/profiles/fitt-gerry/ |website=RTÉ Archives |publisher=RTÉ |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516184817/https://www.rte.ie/archives/profiles/fitt-gerry/ |url-status=live }} The SDLP's best result was in 1992 general election when they won four out of 17 seats. Its worst result was in 2017 when they lost all their seats. In 2019 they won two seats.

Although not abstentionist, some SDLP MPs have protested the parliamentary oath required of every member of parliament. At the swearing in ceremony after the 2019 general election, the party leader Colum Eastwood said:

:"Under protest and in order to represent my constituency, I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. My true allegiance is to the people of Derry and the people of Ireland."{{cite news |title=SDLP leader Colum Eastwood affirms allegiance to Queen 'under protest' |author=Andrew Madden |date=19 December 2019 |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/general-election-2019/sdlp-leader-colum-eastwood-affirms-allegiance-to-queen-under-protest-38799446.html |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112050626/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/general-election-2019/sdlp-leader-colum-eastwood-affirms-allegiance-to-queen-under-protest-38799446.html |url-status=live }}

The SDLP, along with Sinn Féin, have long sought speaking rights in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Republic's parliament. In 2005, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, leader of Fianna Fáil, put forward a proposal to allow MPs and MEPs from Northern Ireland to participate in debates on the region. However, the plan was met with vociferous opposition from the Republic's main opposition parties, Fine Gael and the Labour Party, and was subsequently shelved.[https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ahern-proposal-on-mps-ill-advised-1.1261957 Ahern proposal on MPs ill-advised] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081817/https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ahern-proposal-on-mps-ill-advised-1.1261957 |date=22 March 2018 }}, Irish Times, 29 October 2005 Unionists had also strongly opposed the proposal.[https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ahern-plan-to-give-north-mps-dail-rights-rejected-1.511570 Ahern plan to give North MPs Dail rights rejected] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081757/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ahern-plan-to-give-north-mps-dail-rights-rejected-1.511570 |date=22 March 2018 }}, Irish Times, 28 October 2005

On Remembrance Day in 2010, party leader Margaret Ritchie became the first leader of a nationalist party to wear a poppy while attending a wreath-laying ceremony in Downpatrick, County Down. The poppy is worn on the lapel in the United Kingdom as a mark of respect and remembrance for fallen British soldiers in the period around Remembrance Day and is controversial in Northern Ireland, as it is viewed by many as a political symbol representing support for the British Army.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/thousands-gather-to-remember-war-dead-14555647.html |title=Thousands gather to remember war dead |work=The Belfast Telegraph |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017094218/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/thousands-gather-to-remember-war-dead-14555647.html |archive-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=live }} Because of this, it has long been the preserve of the unionist/loyalist community.{{cite web |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/unionloyal.htm |title=CAIN: Symbols – Unionist and Loyalist |publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk |access-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806181854/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/unionloyal.htm |archive-date=6 August 2011 |url-status=live }} Her actions drew praise from unionists.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11733457 "SDLP Leader Ritchie to wear Poppy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104053018/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11733457 |date=4 January 2018 }}, BBC News[http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/decision-to-wear-poppy-lsquodifficultrsquo-for-sdlp-leader-margaret-ritchie-15004207.html "Decision to wear poppy difficult for SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017094143/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/decision-to-wear-poppy-lsquodifficultrsquo-for-sdlp-leader-margaret-ritchie-15004207.html |date=17 October 2012 }}, The Belfast Telegraph[http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Ritchie39s-poppy-move-39is-a.6627303.jp "Ritchie's Poppy Move 'Is a major breakthrough'"] The Newsletter

On 27 July 2011, it was reported that Margaret Ritchie faced a leadership challenge from deputy leader Patsy McGlone.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14316761 | publisher=BBC News | title=Margaret Ritchie: SDLP leader 'to face challenge' | date=27 July 2011 | access-date=21 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123225708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14316761 | archive-date=23 November 2018 | url-status=live }} The Phoenix reported that only one MLA, Alex Attwood was prepared to back her and that "she will be humiliated if she puts her leadership to a vote".[http://www.thephoenix.ie/phoenix/subscriber/library/volume-29/issue-16/contents.pdf "Bird's Eye View Patsy McGlone's Leadership Strike"], The Phoenix Magazine, 12 – 25 August 2011, pg 8

Alasdair McDonnell was confirmed as Ritchie's successor after the subsequent leadership election on 5 November 2011.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15607201 |title=Alasdair McDonnellelected new SDLP leader |date=5 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=5 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105172802/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15607201 |archive-date=5 November 2011 |url-status=live }}

Colum Eastwood challenged McDonnell and replaced him as leader after the party's 2015 leadership election.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34822651|title=SDLP leadership: Colum Eastwood wins contest against Alasdair McDonnell|date=14 November 2015|publisher=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114234835/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34822651|archive-date=14 November 2015|access-date=14 November 2015}}

Eastwood stood down as leader in 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjwn0dpwnro | title=Colum Eastwood: 'It is time for me to step aside' | date=28 August 2024 }} Deputy leader Claire Hanna, was selected to replace Eastwood during the 2024 leadership election when she ran unopposed. Ratification for the new party leadership will take place at a conference in October 2024.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-06 |title=Claire Hanna set to become SDLP leader |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2024/0906/1468757-sdlp-leader/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=RTÉ News}}{{Cite news |last=McGovern |first=Eimear |date=2024-09-06 |title=Claire Hanna is sole nominee for SDLP leadership |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/claire-hanna-is-sole-nominee-for-sdlp-leadership/a1309530790.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=Belfast Telegraph}}

{{Social democracy sidebar}}

The SDLP is a social democratic party that opposes austerity and Brexit.{{Cite news|date=2019-12-04|title=General election 2019: A simple guide to the SDLP|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50315252|access-date=2020-12-22|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622144410/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50315252|url-status=live}}

The party is an Irish nationalist party advocating for a united Ireland, however, unlike the other nationalist party Sinn Féin, the party is viewed as more pragmatic and moderate on the subject, as such the SDLP is not abstentionist in regards to Westminster and the party cooperates fully with UK Political and Constitutional Institutions.{{Cite web|title=Building a New Ireland Together|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/building_a_new_ireland_together|access-date=2021-10-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2010-11-11 |title=SDLP leader Ritchie to wear poppy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-11733457 |access-date=2025-06-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Admin |first=Blog |date=2011-10-21 |title=Evidence from nationalist movements in Scotland and Northern Ireland shows that pragmatism and the ability to adapt are key to electoral success, and that nationalism is still a potent political force. - British Politics and Policy at LSE |url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/regional-nationalisms/ |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=British Politics and Policy at LSE -}}{{Cite journal |last=McGlinchey |first=Marisa |date=2019 |title=Does Moderation Pay in a Consociational Democracy? The Marginalisation of the SDLP in the North of Ireland |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/spsr.12362 |journal=Swiss Political Science Review |language=en |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=426–449 |doi=10.1111/spsr.12362 |issn=1662-6370}}{{Cite web |date=2017-06-09 |title=SDLP pledges to learn lessons after Westminster wipeout |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/sdlp-pledges-to-learn-lessons-after-westminster-wipeout-1113005 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Belfast News Letter |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=Sep 22, 2022 |title=Matthew O Toole |url=https://x.com/MatthewOToole2/status/1572878834940416001 |website=x.com}}

While the party is officially anti-abortion, it does not apply a party whip on the issue.{{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Amanda|location=Belfast|title=Abortion in Northern Ireland: Where do the parties stand?|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/abortion-in-northern-ireland-where-do-the-parties-stand-1.3522879|access-date=2021-12-21|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}} The party supports LGBT rights including marriage equality, the roll out of PrEP across Northern Ireland and LGBT education in schools. The SDLP is anti-xenophobic and opposes plans to create what it deems a hostile environment for immigrants.{{Cite web|title=A Fairer Society|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/fighting_for_human_rights|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}} The party also supports an Irish language act.{{Cite web|last=petebkr|date=2018-04-09|title=SDLP reaffirms commitment to an Irish Language Act|url=https://patsymcglone.com/2018/04/09/sdlp-reaffirms-commitment-to-an-irish-language-act/|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Your MLA|language=en}}

The SDLP believes that 3,000 social and affordable houses should be built every year. They oppose the gig economy and zero-hour contracts.{{Cite web|title=Social Justice|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/social_justice|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}} The party opposes welfare reform and the cut to universal credit.{{Cite news|date=2015-05-22|title=Welfare reform: SDLP 'cannot accommodate' welfare proposals|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-32853348|access-date=2021-12-22}}{{Cite web|title=SDLP launches 'Give it Back' campaign to retain £20 Universal Credit uplift|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/_sdlp_launches_give_it_back_campaign_to_retain_20_universal_credit_uplift|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}

Despite opposing academic selection, the party does not advocate the abolition of grammar schools.{{cite news|title=SDLP MLA Colin McGrath: 'When I was 10 my sister died. She was 16 and was gone within two days'|language=en-GB|last=Deeney|first=Donna|date=16 October 2017|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sdlp-mla-colin-mcgrath-when-i-was-10-my-sister-died-she-was-16-and-was-gone-within-two-days-36228961.html|access-date=22 December 2021|issn=0307-1235}} The party supports the abolition of tuition fees. It wants to make a modern language up to GCSE and the teaching of maths up to the age of 18 compulsory.

The party believes that the Magee campus in Derry should be expanded to 10,000 student places.{{Cite web|title=Education|url=https://www.sdlp.ie/education|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Social Democratic and Labour Party|language=en}}

The party supports a green corporate levy on businesses who contribute large amounts of greenhouse gases and a green jobs strategy. They also believe that a climate emergency should be declared and the government should be required to reach net zero emissions.{{Cite web|last=cassoscoop|date=2021-06-16|title=Eastwood brings Climate and Green Bill to Westminster|url=https://www.derrydaily.net/2021/06/16/eastwood-brings-climate-and-green-bill-to-westminster/|access-date=2021-12-23|website=Derry Daily|language=en-US}}

Claire Hanna is the seventh leader of the SDLP, taking over from Colum Eastwood in 2024.

The SDLP currently have two MPs in the UK Parliament, seven MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly and 37 councillors across Northern Ireland's 11 councils.{{Cite web |title=SDLP Leader announces changes to Front Bench Team |url=https://www.sdlp.ie/sdlp_leader_announces_changes_to_front_bench_team |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Social Democratic and Labour Party |language=en}}

{{Infobox political party

| country =

| name = Northern Ireland council seats

| native_name =

| colorcode = {{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}

| seats1_title = Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

| seats1 = {{Composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats2_title = Ards and North Down Borough Council

| seats2 = {{Composition bar|1|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats3_title = Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

| seats3 = {{Composition bar|1|41|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats4_title = Belfast City Council

| seats4 = {{Composition bar|5|60|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats5_title = Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

| seats5 = {{Composition bar|3|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats6_title = Derry City and Strabane District Council

| seats6 = {{Composition bar|8|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats7_title = Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

| seats7 = {{Composition bar|3|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats8_title = Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council

| seats8 = {{Composition bar|2|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats9_title = Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

| seats9 = {{Composition bar|0|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats10_title = Mid Ulster District Council

| seats10 = {{Composition bar|5|40|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

| seats11_title = Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

| seats11 = {{Composition bar|8|41|hex={{party color|Social Democratic and Labour Party}}}}

}}

Upon its formation, the SDLP quickly established itself as the second largest party and the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland. It largely held this position until the beginning of the 21st century. In the 1998 Assembly election, it became the biggest party overall in terms of votes received and the first nationalist party to do so. This would be the largest seat share it would ever hold as it slowly saw declining support following the retirement of John Hume in 2001.

Under leader Mark Durkan, the 2001 general election and the 2003 Assembly election saw fellow Irish nationalist party Sinn Féin win more seats and votes than the SDLP for the first time, a position they would continue to hold. In the 2004 European elections, Hume stood down and the SDLP failed to retain the seat he had held since 1979, losing it to Sinn Féin. Alban Maginness attempted to take the seat again in the 2009 European elections the party fielded as their candidate and failed to gain a seat with 78,489 first preference votes.{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8089501.stm|title= Sinn Féin tops poll in Euro count-BBC News|date= 8 June 2009|access-date= 27 March 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140518085201/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8089501.stm|archive-date= 18 May 2014|url-status= live}} The party further declined in the 2011 Assembly elections and the 2016 Assembly election, as the total number of votes received continued to drop.

The 2017 Assembly election saw the party retain its 12-seat count from the prior election, increasing its seat share due to a drop in the size of the assembly for the first time since 1998. This was followed by the 2017 general election where the SDLP lost all three seats and returned its worst ever vote share. In the 2019 European election, the final in the United Kingdom's history, party leader Colum Eastwood ran, increasing his party's vote but failing to take a seat. In the general election later that year the party recaptured Belfast South and Foyle with the highest ever vote recorded for the party in both constituencies and managed to increase its vote across Northern Ireland to its highest in almost fifteen years for a general election. The two seats held by the party currently have the largest majorities of any constituencies in Northern Ireland.

In the 2022 Assembly election, the SDLP slipped to the 5th largest party with only eight seats in the Assembly.{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Election Results 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2022/northern-ireland/results |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Some see the SDLP as first and foremost a party now representing Catholic middle-class interests, with voters concentrated in rural areas and the professional classes, rather than a vehicle for Irish nationalism.{{cite news|url=https://sluggerotoole.com/2022/04/14/why-are-the-sdlp-doing-so-badly-in-the-polls/|title=Why are the SDLP doing so badly in the polls?|first=Joshua|last=Murray|date=14 April 2022|website=Slugger O'Toole}}{{cite news|url=https://bylinetimes.com/2023/03/27/is-northern-irelands-sdlp-here-to-stay/|title=Is Northern Ireland's SDLP Here to Stay?|last=DeSouza|first=Emma|date=27 March 2023|work=Byline Times}} The SDLP reject this argument, pointing to their strong support in Derry and their victory in South Belfast in the 2005 Westminster election. Furthermore, in the lead up to that election, they published a document outlining their plans for a politically united Ireland. Their decline in Northern Ireland outside of two particular strongholds had led some to dub the party, the "South Down and Londonderry Party".{{cite web |title=Deal with devil small price to pay to snub the snobs |first=Newton |last=Emerson |date=30 March 2007 |url=http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/irish_news/arts2007/mar29_deal_with_devil_small_price__NEmerson.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822083922/http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/irish_news/arts2007/mar29_deal_with_devil_small_price__NEmerson.php |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=4 August 2016 |publisher=Nuzhound}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/apr/09/northernireland|title=A consensus on crowing|last=Patterson|first=Glenn|date=9 April 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 September 2022}}

• Demography and politics of Northern Ireland
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