SDLP Youth have congratulated young students all across the north for the excellent results obtained this week at A-Level and GCSE. It is a great achievement and students should be extremely proud of themselves when the results in the north are once again out-performing those in the rest of the UK.

Speaking of the results, SDLP Youth member for West Belfast Matthew McDermott said:

“SDLP Youth are encouraging young people to take advantage of the educational opportunities afforded to them today, opportunities that many of our parents were not given, and stay on in education.

“There are a wide variety of options open to young people in the north. For those who didn’t get the grades they wanted, my message is not to panic – there are numerous ways to improve your grades and attend university if that was your intention. If not then options such as taking a trade, entrepreneurship or full-time work are available and provide great opportunities”.

On Saturday 5th August, the 16th annual Belfast Pride parade took place, and SDLP Youth came out to join the festivities.

SDLP Youth Belfast Representative Peter Armstrong said “Belfast Pride has been a huge success this year with 6,500 people attending.

“There is a great family atmosphere and large crowds watching the parade. SDLP Youth are proud to be part of it.

“There are very few protesters showing that Belfast is becoming more tolerant.”

SDLP Youth had t-shirts and balloons printed for the occasion with messages showing our support for LGBT rights.

“SDLP Youth got messages of support as the only political group visible at the parade. We also got mauled outside City Hall by hundreds of small children all wanting balloons!”

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SDLP Youth Photo Gallery- Belfast Gay Pride Parade

SDLP youth today supported Trócaire’s rally for peace in the Middle East.

SDLP Assembly Members, Councillors, members and staff joined the SDLP Youth banner at the rally which took place outside Belfast City Hall and was attended by hundreds of people.

Speaking after the event SDLP Youth Belfast Representative Peter Armstrong said “SDLP Youth call for an immediate ceasefire from both Israel and Hezbollah. Hundreds of completely innocent men, woman and children have been killed on both sides and it shows every sign of continuing indefinitely.

“SDLP Youth share solidarity with the people who have got caught in the middle of this dreadful conflict, violence and blood shed.

“The international community has a responsibility to put pressure on both sides to ensure the war ends now. We are outside City Hall today to show we want our government to act to prevent further death.”