The SDLP begins its annual party conference in Belfast tomorrow (Saturday) weakened by the assembly election results and facing an election to the European parliament this June without its figurehead John Hume. Political commentator
Inside every heartache lies a hidden gift – the gift of strength. A strength to fight back, a strength to move on and a strength to keep believing. Yes the heart of the SDLP is aching; it has been wounded by a bad election, hurt by the loss of inspirational leaders and bruised by a stalemate political process. But the beat of that heart is still as strong, if not stronger than ever before.
That beat is the very core of the SDLP, it is what keeps the party alive, that heartbeat is the people – those who have stood so loyally behind the SDLP over the years, who have put their faith in the party and supported the SDLP in the community and at the ballot box.
And those also who have given much of their time, commitment and, for many, much of their lives passionately working towards the core values of the SDLP – fighting for equality, justice and peace for all. All these people hold the fate of the SDLP in their hands. What happens now for the SDLP will be a reflection of the hunger of all people for honest politics.
What happens now will be a demonstration of the SDLP's conviction, solidarity and passion for real politics. What happens now will be illustrative of a phoenix rising from the ashes – the future of the SDLP begins today.
Under the leadership of Mark Durkan the SDLP begins to write a new chapter in Irish politics. It will be a chapter which will look back at all that has been won and lost over the last 30 years.
Many lessons have been learned, many tears have been shed, many lives have been lost but we must remember that so too has much progress been made. The SDLP has been the architect of that progress.
John Hume and Seamus Mallon have laid the foundations, the future of the SDLP is now to build upon that progress and deliver a truly united New Ireland, full of promise and opportunity for all.
A land of hope for all nationalities and a land of pride for all natives. The SDLP will help shape Ireland into a country where equality, justice and peace are taken as a given. A country which will not tolerate violence, bigotry or tribal politics.
The SDLP wants the best for all of our people and we will not rest until this has been achieved. This is our vision, this is the SDLP's vision of a New Ireland and this is the challenge to ourselves as a party.
No-one can foretell what the road ahead will hold for the SDLP. I'm sure there'll be lots of twists and turns, many obstacles to overcome with upward struggles and downhill falls; but no matter what, we won't give up until we have achieved all we so desire in our hearts and souls.
Over the coming months and years ahead the SDLP will need to rebuild and renew itself. We will need an injection of youth to energise tired bodies and tired minds.
We will need to recruit people with knowledge and experience to guide us on our way.
We will need to use the knowledge, capability and experience of so many already in our party to inspire others to join with us in our quest to build a better country.
Now is the time for the SDLP to live the legacy that has been left to us from the Hume-Mallon era, and now is also the time for us to create our own legacy to leave to others who will come after us.
The SDLP has done a lot of work and has given so much to Irish politics since the Civil Rights Movement from the 1960s; but our work is not yet done, we still have so much more to give and much more to achieve.
Political progress in Northern Ireland is at a standstill at the moment. The voice of the people has been heard in the November elections. The result was perhaps the worst scenario possible – a Northern Ireland Executive led by the anti-agreement DUP. The SDLP therefore has the immediate task of securing the one thing that has brought the people of Northern Ireland together – the Good Friday Agreement.
Over the coming months of review the SDLP will pioneer all political parties working together to bring about political stability.
We want our assembly back up and working so we can do what the SDLP does best – delivering change, protecting rights and promoting justice.
So you see, the future of the SDLP is far from bleak. The party has a real and important role to play in delivering a better way of life for all people on this island.
There is no doubt that as a party we have come up against some very tough tests in recent years. What we're now faced with is a huge challenge, but it's a challenge we've stepped up to, it's a challenge we're hungry to succeed in.
And as we find our hidden strength, the SDLP is ready to fight back, live on and be better than ever before – just like a phoenix we will rise again.
Sharon Haughey (22) joined the SDLP at the age of 17. She came to prominence when she introduced US president Bill Clinton in Armagh during his 1998 visit.
