O’Toole MLA in South Belfast

O’Toole MLA in South Belfast

15 January 2020

A FORMER Downpatrick man has been selected as the SDLP’s Assembly member for South Belfast.

Matthew O’Toole — who was educated at St Patrick’s Grammar School and is a former Downing Street and Treasury adviser —  replaces Claire Hanna following her election to Westminster last month.

Mr O’Toole, who is the nephew of former Foyle MP and SDLP leader Mark Durkan, has a background in economic policy and communications.

He says he is delighted to be asked to serve the people of South Belfast at what he described as “this critical moment”.

“The absence of power-sharing has put immense pressure on public services, especially the health service, which is felt acutely in places like South Belfast,” he said.

Mr O’Toole, who left the British government in September 2017 and works for communications consultancy Powerscourt, as well as contributing regular journalism on UK and Irish politics, said Brexit had made Northern Ireland “immensely vulnerable” and 

was damaging to community relations.

He said the election to Westminster of “progressive, Remain voices” like Ms Hanna and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood was good news and pledged to defend Northern Ireland from the effects of Brexit.

“I am humbled to be asked to serve a constituency that is Northern Ireland’s most diverse and open,” continued Mr O’Toole.

“I believe deeply in building in a shared society and South Belfast is an example of how a diverse community can live and work together, I am proud to be their representative.”

Mr Eastwood said he was delighted that the party has announced that someone of Matthew’s calibre is stepping forward to join the SDLP Assembly team and represent the people of South Belfast.

“With a strong background in economic policy, having worked across government and the private sector, Matthew brings an immense amount of experience that will be critical to our efforts to rebalance Northern Ireland’s economy, attract new jobs and defend people here from the impact of Brexit,” said the SDLP leader.

He added: “I look forward to working with him at a critical time for politics in the north.”

Ms Hanna said her successor will make an “outstanding Assembly member”.