The second UK political party leadership election result of the week was announced earlier today in Belfast. The SDLP were replacing Margaret Ritchie after just 19 months with a man, this is not me being sexist but a reality that there were only male candidates in the contest for party leader.
There were 348 votes cast, making the quota for election of 175.
In the first round
Alex Attwood 46
Connall McDevitt 105
Alasdair McDonnell 127
Patsy McGlone 70
Alex Attwood eliminated
2nd Round: Transfer of Attwood's 46 votes
Connall McDevitt 131 (+26)
Alasdair McDonnell 140 (+13)
Patsy McGlone 76 (+6)
non-transferable 1
Patsy McGlone eliminated
3rd Round: Transfer of McGlone's 76 votes
Connall McDevitt 152 (+21)
Alasdair McDonnell 188 (+48)
non-transferable 7
Alasdair McDonnell elected with vote exceeding quota
Alasdair McDonnell the MP and MLA for South Belfast was therefore elected to be the new leader of the SDLP.
Before Margaret Ritchie announced she was resigning she said that she did not feel it was possible to be an MP, MLA and leader of the party, but at the time she said such triple jobbing was 'a fully justifiable position'. The issue of double (triple) jobbing is one that the people of Northern Ireland find themselves in the largely unique position of finding their politicians in. The election of another double jobber as leader makes it hard to see how any of the big parties are going to break the double (triple) jobbing culture. Only the Alliance and Greens have effectively removed double jobbing from their ranks. The election of a new leader doing two jobs one at Stormont and one at Westminster by the SDLP makes it hard to see how the parties are going to get out of the two jobs mentality.
Showing posts with label Alex Attwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alex Attwood. Show all posts
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Monday, 16 May 2011
Live Blogging: Those D'Hondt positions - now filled #NIAssembly
Today the Assembly is deciding the ministers for the next Northern Ireland Executive.
So just a reminder of the agreed order on Friday and I'll fill in who as we go along
DUP Department of Finance and Personel An Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Infheistíochta Sammy Wilson
No surprise here having held the position in the last Assembly. However, Peter Robinson has said that the position is only for two years for the MP and MLA and that he is to be replaced by Strangford's Simon Hamilton in two years time.
Sinn Féin Department of Education An Roinn Oideachais John O'Dowd
The Upper Bann MLA is taking over from the long line of Sinn Féin Ministers for Education. He replaces Catríona Ruane in the department that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness initially held. The rumours that McGuinness has long wanted to replace Ruane with someone less controversial. The head of the Sinn Féin council group on Craigavon council we will see how hard the second term MLA will be pressing for the party policy of Irish language education. DUP
DUP Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment An Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Infheistíochta Arlene Foster
A return to my old department for Arlene, who was moved there in 2008 from the Environment brief. The DUP had said they had campaigned strongly on the economy and once again they have secured the two offices that deal with the econimic issues that face Northern Ireland. If between Arlene and Sammy/Simon they don't give Northern Ireland as good if not better return out of the hard times the DUP maay well suffer at the polls in four years time as a result.
UUP Department of Regional Development An Roinn Forbartha Réigiúnaí Danny Kennedy
The only seat on the executive is for the Newry and Armagh representative. Danny for Minister for Employment and Learning in the last Assembly a position he took up when Lord Empey stood down as leader in 2010 after the disasterous Westminster elections. Before that he had been chair of the OFMdFM scrutiny committtee. He inherits the issues with Northern Ireland Water that caused mayhem last December, which is propably going to be the first issue he looks into when he gets to his new desk.
Sinn Féin Department of Agriculture and Rural Development An Roinn Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe Michelle O'Neill
The Mid Ulster MLA certain represents one of the most rural and agriculture based parts of Northern Ireland. She replaces her neighbouring Sinn Féin representative Michelle Gildernew in the Department. She is a keen supporter of rural regeneration and has recently been involved in the establishment of a Clonoe Community Regeneration group, expect to carry on the work that was well respected by Gildernew.Currently also the Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone.
SDLP Department of the Environment An Roinn Comhshaoil Alex Attwood
The West Belfast MLA moves from Social Development, where he succeeded Margaret Ritchie when she became leader. The sole SDLP representative takes on the Environment portfolio. The first nationalist to do so, it having been held by the UUP and DUP before him. Whether he will join his South Belfast colleague Conall McDevitt in cycling from the constituency office, to his Departmental Office in Adelaide Street and on to Stormont is yet to be seen.
DUP Department of Social Development An Roinn Forbartha Sóisialta Nelson McCausland
Moves from Culture, Arts and Leisure where he called on the Ulster Museum to display creationist and anti-evolution displays alongside the other exhibits, and complained used of the f-word in the production of Black Watch, which sparked comments from former and serving officers that the use of the word was far less than in reality. As minister responsiblw for housing as well as urban regeneration, it has yet to be seen if he will help his colleagues in finance by moving towards integrated housing projects rather than carrying on the policy of secregation.
Sinn Féin Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure An Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta Carál Ní Chuilín
A minister who is likely to get the sharp end of Jim Allister's tongue having served time for explosives offences. Again it is the first time that a non-Unionist has held this ministry. Key issues are how the promotion of all cultures will be represented by the Sinn Féin minister, who will obviously be pushing to implement what her party see as an Irish Act. Also the issue of a national stadium for all sports Football, Rugby and Gaelic Games falls under her purview, we will see if this is moved forward.
DUP Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety An Roinn Sláinte, Seirbhísí Sóisialta agus Sábháilteachta Poiblí Edwin Poots
Previous experience at DCAL before he resigned from that post, but returned to Minisrterial responsibilty at the Department of the Environment in 2009. Health was seen by many to have been the poisoned challace, was held by the UUP in the last executive. The fact that it was taken ninth and last of the DUP's allocation may speak volumes about it. It is the deparatment with the biggest budget and therefore under current financial restraints probably the toughest balancing act of all. The DUP promised they would take this along with the Finance Departments so that the right balance could be struck. But it is the most emotive department to the average voter and any mess up here could be punished.
Alliance Department of Employment and Learning An Roinn Fostaíochta agus Foghlama Stephen Farry
Further to above as the DUP end double jobbing in two years time the two MPs with DUP ministerial portfolios are to be replaced. Sammy Wilson by Simon Hamilton and Edwin Poots by Jim Wells.
So just a reminder of the agreed order on Friday and I'll fill in who as we go along
No surprise here having held the position in the last Assembly. However, Peter Robinson has said that the position is only for two years for the MP and MLA and that he is to be replaced by Strangford's Simon Hamilton in two years time.
The Upper Bann MLA is taking over from the long line of Sinn Féin Ministers for Education. He replaces Catríona Ruane in the department that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness initially held. The rumours that McGuinness has long wanted to replace Ruane with someone less controversial. The head of the Sinn Féin council group on Craigavon council we will see how hard the second term MLA will be pressing for the party policy of Irish language education. DUP
A return to my old department for Arlene, who was moved there in 2008 from the Environment brief. The DUP had said they had campaigned strongly on the economy and once again they have secured the two offices that deal with the econimic issues that face Northern Ireland. If between Arlene and Sammy/Simon they don't give Northern Ireland as good if not better return out of the hard times the DUP maay well suffer at the polls in four years time as a result.
The only seat on the executive is for the Newry and Armagh representative. Danny for Minister for Employment and Learning in the last Assembly a position he took up when Lord Empey stood down as leader in 2010 after the disasterous Westminster elections. Before that he had been chair of the OFMdFM scrutiny committtee. He inherits the issues with Northern Ireland Water that caused mayhem last December, which is propably going to be the first issue he looks into when he gets to his new desk.
The Mid Ulster MLA certain represents one of the most rural and agriculture based parts of Northern Ireland. She replaces her neighbouring Sinn Féin representative Michelle Gildernew in the Department. She is a keen supporter of rural regeneration and has recently been involved in the establishment of a Clonoe Community Regeneration group, expect to carry on the work that was well respected by Gildernew.Currently also the Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone.
The West Belfast MLA moves from Social Development, where he succeeded Margaret Ritchie when she became leader. The sole SDLP representative takes on the Environment portfolio. The first nationalist to do so, it having been held by the UUP and DUP before him. Whether he will join his South Belfast colleague Conall McDevitt in cycling from the constituency office, to his Departmental Office in Adelaide Street and on to Stormont is yet to be seen.
Moves from Culture, Arts and Leisure where he called on the Ulster Museum to display creationist and anti-evolution displays alongside the other exhibits, and complained used of the f-word in the production of Black Watch, which sparked comments from former and serving officers that the use of the word was far less than in reality. As minister responsiblw for housing as well as urban regeneration, it has yet to be seen if he will help his colleagues in finance by moving towards integrated housing projects rather than carrying on the policy of secregation.
A minister who is likely to get the sharp end of Jim Allister's tongue having served time for explosives offences. Again it is the first time that a non-Unionist has held this ministry. Key issues are how the promotion of all cultures will be represented by the Sinn Féin minister, who will obviously be pushing to implement what her party see as an Irish Act. Also the issue of a national stadium for all sports Football, Rugby and Gaelic Games falls under her purview, we will see if this is moved forward.
Previous experience at DCAL before he resigned from that post, but returned to Minisrterial responsibilty at the Department of the Environment in 2009. Health was seen by many to have been the poisoned challace, was held by the UUP in the last executive. The fact that it was taken ninth and last of the DUP's allocation may speak volumes about it. It is the deparatment with the biggest budget and therefore under current financial restraints probably the toughest balancing act of all. The DUP promised they would take this along with the Finance Departments so that the right balance could be struck. But it is the most emotive department to the average voter and any mess up here could be punished.
Further to above as the DUP end double jobbing in two years time the two MPs with DUP ministerial portfolios are to be replaced. Sammy Wilson by Simon Hamilton and Edwin Poots by Jim Wells.
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