MP to set sights on leadership

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The SDLP's deputy leader is set to make his pitch for the leadership.

Alasdair McDonnell is expected to formally declare his intention to contest the leadership at a news conference on Tuesday.

The party's South Belfast MP is a veteran of the party and has a reputation for being a good organiser.

His competition, however, is the party's South Down MLA Margaret Ritchie who enjoys a high profile as minister for Social Development.

Nominations open on 1 November and the vote will be held next February at the party's annual conference.

In September, SDLP leader Mark Durkan said he intended to stand aside as party leader after the next Westminster election, which is expected around May next year.

Mr Durkan said he would defend his Foyle seat but did not believe he should continue to hold a dual mandate at the Stormont Assembly.

The 49-year-old replaced John Hume as leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in 2001.