SDLP: Eastwood says his party is 'here to stay'

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader has dismissed political "naysayers" and insisted his party is "here to stay".

Addressing his party's annual conference, Colum Eastwood acknowledged the party had been through a "bruising electoral contest" last May.

The party lost four assembly seats.

He told SDLP members in Londonderry that "the adversity we face now is nothing compared to the adversity this party has shouldered in the past".

"We are a party that is ready to get back to work and we will win again," he said.

The SDLP leader and MP for Foyle said last year's assembly election had "exacted a high price".

'Poisonous politics of veto'

He told members that those who had written off the party before should be ignored.

"The people in this hall today, and the many friends and colleagues outside, the values they represent and the vision we set for this island can never be written off," he added.

"We're going to embark on a long-term political strategy with the goal of reimagining our country," Mr Eastwood said, acknowledging his party's commission for a new Ireland, which he said was "shifting gear".

"This is when we are at our best - when we bring together an unstoppable coalition."

He also called for an end to the "poisonous politics of veto" at Stormont and accused the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of being "wreckers" of the institutions.

"The DUP need to get back to work or get out of the way," Mr Eastwood said.

He added sharing power was the "engine" of Stormont and not an "optional extra".

The DUP has boycotted devolved government at Stormont over Northern Ireland Protocol concerns

The party's conference came days after MPs including those in the SDLP voted to back the Windsor Framework agreed by the UK and EU.

The framework is designed to make trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK easier.

It gives the Stormont assembly more say over EU rules and has been welcomed by most Northern Ireland parties.

Mr Eastwood said the DUP, which voted against the deal, was "digging its heels in".

And he added that if the party held out on returning to power sharing at Stormont, the "only alternative" would be a new settlement between London and Dublin.

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"If we are unable to secure lasting reform of the institutions then the only alternative is a new settlement that retains power with the Irish and British traditions that share this island.

"And if political parties will not work together, then there must be a new model of shared stewardship between the British and Irish governments."

He told SDLP members that the choice facing the DUP is not about the Northern Ireland Protocol or framework, but whether they "can share power with their neighbours".

It makes sense that the SDLP would choose its heartland of Foyle to bring its members together.

There is no shying away from how hard a time the party has had recently.

It lost four seats last year in May's assembly election and recent polls haven't proved any more positive.

That said, the party's south Belfast MP Claire Hanna has said that since then, the SDLP has been doing some serious thinking and reflection.

In other words: they may be down but they're not out, if Colum Eastwood can help it.

He believes in the message he's selling but it's not the audience in Derry he needs to persuade.

The next electoral test for the SDLP is just eight weeks away.