Politics

Colum Eastwood not contemplating resignation as he seeks to secure SDLP's future with Fianna Fail

Colum Eastwood said he was conscious of other political projects launched in recent years which 'fell flat on their face'. Picture by Mal McCann
Colum Eastwood said he was conscious of other political projects launched in recent years which 'fell flat on their face'. Picture by Mal McCann Colum Eastwood said he was conscious of other political projects launched in recent years which 'fell flat on their face'. Picture by Mal McCann

COLUM Eastwood believes the SDLP brand will prevail and that building links with Fianna Fáil will secure his party's future rather than threaten it.

Mr Eastwood told The Irish News that he is confident party members will back proposals for increased ties with Fianna Fáil, despite misgivings being voiced by a number of SDLP grandees.

In his first full interview since last week's announcement of a partnership between the two parties, the SDLP leader has insisted the alliance is "not a paper exercise" and that more details of what it means will emerge after the February 9's special conference.

After months of speculation, Mr Eastwood was joined in Belfast last week by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin as they unveiled plans to cooperate on a series of all-Ireland policy development initiatives, while undertaking an "unprecedented programme of public engagement" across the island.

Colum Eastwood insists his party's partnership with Fianna Fáil is 'not a paper exercise'. Picture by Mal McCann
Colum Eastwood insists his party's partnership with Fianna Fáil is 'not a paper exercise'. Picture by Mal McCann Colum Eastwood insists his party's partnership with Fianna Fáil is 'not a paper exercise'. Picture by Mal McCann

Fianna Fáil has ruled out running candidates north of the border in May's local government elections, while both leaders have stressed that the new formal ties do not represent a merger.

Read More: SDLP denies vote on Fianna Fáil partnership is 'unconstitutional'

The collaborative approach has faced criticism from within the SDLP, particularly from those who believe the new cross-border arrangement betrays the party's social democratic roots.

Meanwhile, others have complained that the project lacks ambition and concrete goals.

Mr Eastwood said last week's launch could have included "gimmicky things" but said he was conscious of other political projects launched in recent years which promised a lot but "fell flat on their face".

"I knew that there was going to be criticism but thought it was actually important to build this over time," he said.

Read More: Tom Kelly: The SDLP/Fianna Fail partnership deserves to be given a chance

"This is not about the next election but about the next generation – about building for the long term."

He dismissed claims that next month's special conference breaches the party's constitution and believes he will secure the necessary 50 per cent-plus support to take the project forward.

Mr Eastwood said he hasn't considered the prospect of standing down if the party fails to endorse his plan because he believes it commands majority backing.

"I think the membership wants this though I fully understand the membership didn't join this," he said.

"It's about a new departure. We're determined that the brand, the identity, the organisational integrity – all of that remains."

He acknowledged the legitimacy of those within his party who have concerns.

"Brid Rodgers earned the right to her strong view, " he said in reference to remarks by the former party deputy leader earlier this week.

"But I would ask people to think carefully about the alternatives and to bring those alternatives to the table.

"Continuing to do what we're doing isn't working – there's a diminishing return from that and I have a responsibility as leader

Read More: SDLP and Fianna Fáil's half-hearted play unlikely to pay offto do hard things."

The Foyle MLA is dismissive of speculation that forging ties with Fianna Fáil could see the SDLP excluded from the Party of European Socialists (PES), Europe's umbrella socialist grouping.

"That won't happen – my politics are exactly the same as they were last week. I'm a social democrat."

Responding to the suggestion that unionists will be alienated by the new partnership, Mr Eastwood described such criticism as "very strange".

He said he had a "strong track record of partnering unionism", pointing to his appearance at the Ulster Unionists' 2016 party conference.

"Unionists who transfer votes to the SDLP don't do so because they think we're not nationalists," he said.

He said Irish politics was transforming and that the SDLP needed to "move with the times".

"We have to recognise our history but we also have to understand that politics is changing in a rapid way and we have to respond rapidly – this is the first step in that response."