View source for Social Democratic and Labour Party

The '''Social Democratic and Labour Party''' ('''SDLP''') is a constitutional nationalist political party of [[Northern Ireland]] and for most of the period since its foundation in 1970 was the main party of the nationalist ([[Catholic]]) population. Although the SDLP has as one aim (a united [[Ireland]]) it has maintained a principled opposition to the use of [[terrorist]] violence to achieve political ends, and its activists and supporters have suffered violence and intimidation by the [[IRA]] and [[Sinn Fein]]. The party was led between 1970 and 1979 by [[Gerry Fit]], and between 1979 and 2001 by [[John Hume]]. Since 2001 the leader of the SDLP has been Mark Durkan, [[MP]] for the Foyle constituency.

The party's aims are set out in its vision statement:

:''The SDLP’s vision is a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland.'' 

:''As the party of civil rights, the SDLP is working for an Ireland free from poverty, prejudice and injustice; a vibrant country of energy, enterprise and endeavour, where economic prosperity delivers better public services and greater opportunities for all.'' 

:''The SDLP wants to build an Ireland where conflict, violence and sectarianism become footnotes to our past; where reconciliation, equality and inclusion are chapter headings in the new story we will write together. We will build a better Ireland where we truly cherish all the children of the nation equally.'' 

:''The SDLP wants this generation and those that will follow to live in an Ireland that stands tall in the world as a champion of global justice, environmental protection & sustainable development; an Ireland that stands out as a beacon of hope for peace, democracy, human rights and respect for diversity.''

== Sources ==
*http://www.sdlp.ie/

[[Category:Ireland]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Political Parties]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland Political Parties]]