SDLP loses parity as councillor quits party

SDLP loses parity as councillor quits party

8 April 2015

THE SDLP has suffered a blow after one of its councillors on Newry, Mourne and Down Council quit the party.

The decision by Kevin McAteer to leave and become an independent means the SDLP is no longer the joint biggest party on the council, a title which is now taken outright by Sinn Fein.

After the election last year the SDLP and Sinn Fein were locked at the top with 14 councillors each, a position which disappointed the republican party but which pleased the SDLP.

At just 28 Mr McAteer was one of the youngest councillors in the new council and was viewed as a rising star in the Newry area. However, his decision to quit just days after the new super council was launched has surprised and angered his party colleagues.

Mr McAteer said he would continue as an independent councillor, bringing the number of independents on the local authority to four.

He blamed his decision on a growing frustration with party politics. “It seems that the SDLP and all parties are more concerned with political point scoring rather than dealing with issues,” he said.

He claimed the recent rally in Newry in support of the stroke unit at Daisy Hill Hospital had been “hijacked” by both the SDLP and Sinn Fein.

“It was a shameful attempt at electioneering and I will have no part of it,” he said. 

The SDLP group on the council reacted with disappointment to councillor McAteer’s decision.

The leader of the group is Downpatrick councillor Colin McGrath who said McAteer had never indicated  he had any issues or problems.

“He states that he feels that political parties are not the best way to represent people yet he stood on a political party ticket to get elected. This decision is most unfair to those that voted for him less than a year ago,” said Mr McGrath.

“Many of the group have worked closely with Kevin over the past year and they feel let down by his decision which came out of the blue. Just last week he was selected to represent the party on a raft of outside bodies and internal committees – selections that he made himself. 

“I am sorry that Kevin feels he cannot be part of our group any more, however we remain a strong and vibrant group on Newry, Mourne and Down Council and will continue to strive to fulfil our policy of working hard for all communities across our new area.”