LEADERSHIP RACE:TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore were among the many politicians who congratulated South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell on being elected leader of the SDLP.
He succeeds South Down MP Margaret Ritchie, who announced in September she would stand down. The election was notable for the strong performance of the youngest candidate, 39-year-old Conall McDevitt, a Dubliner who, like Dr McDonnell, is an Assembly member for South Belfast.
The other candidates were outgoing deputy leader and Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone and West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood. Voting was by proportional representation, with vote transfers critical in determining the result.
In the first count Dr McDonnell won 127 votes compared to 105 for Mr McDevitt, 70 for Mr McGlone and 46 for Mr Attwood. Mr Attwood was eliminated and the transfer of his votes resulted in Dr McDonnell winning a total of 140, Mr McDevitt 131 and Mr McGlone 76. With Mr McGlone eliminated, Dr McDonnell won with 188 votes, while Mr McDevitt increased his vote to 152.
There was one candidate for the position of deputy leader, Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly, who was formally declared elected.
Mr Kenny called Dr McDonnell to congratulate him, while Mr Gilmore stressed the value he placed on close relations between Labour and its sister party, the SDLP. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said Dr McDonnell was a man of great courage, integrity and commitment to the Irish people.
On Friday night Dr McDonnell praised the work of the Government and its officials who deal with Anglo-Irish affairs.
First Minister Peter Robinson wished Dr McDonnell well, as did Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
