West Belfast girl, Emma Rainey has had a very interesting and enjoyable three days of work shadowing both Matthew McDermott, SDLP councillor for Lisburn, and Alex Attwood, SDLP MLA for West Belfast.

Emma attends St. Louise’s Comprehensive College, and is in her lower sixth year studying ‘A’ Levels in History, Politics and Sociology.

Speaking about her work experience Emma said, “Ever since I started studying politics at the start of September, I gained a great interest in political issues and knew that I wanted a career in politics. My Sociology has also come useful too, as it has taught me a lot about family and social policy, which has inspired me to take a career path in policy making.”

“During my work experience with both Alex and Matthew, I saw the work that elected representative do to help their constituents. I sat in meetings with the Educational Library Board, Antrim Road Police and also sat in a committee meeting in Stormont with Alex, which showed me the other side of politics that it’s not all about legislation.”

Concluding Emma said, “The experience has most definitely encouraged and made me more determined to go into politics. Being with the SDLP, I’ve got to know what their all about, and they’ve certainly impressed me, so when I’m the next future MLA for West Belfast, I hope to be from the SDLP.”

Commenting on Emma’s time in the West Belfast Constituency Office SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said, “Emma experienced first hand how politics works at Stormont and in the constituency. She is a very committed and bright girl and I look forward to seeing her career progress, as I’m sure it will be a very successful one.”

A Chara,

SDLP Youth are organising a Mystery Tour to Europe. It will take place in the first week of June 2008. All party members aged 16-30, with an interest in European politics, culture and beer are invited. The estimated cost is €150 euro per person including travel and 4 nights accommodation.

Those going will not be told where in Europe they are going until check-in at the airport! If you wish to reserve a place, or have any questions, please contact Peter Armstrong on 028 9024 7700 or using the Contact Us page.

Flights will be booked on 4th April (RSVP ASAP!). Details may be subject to change.

Peter Armstrong

Vice Chair
SDLP Youth

A student from Dominican College, Fortwilliam has been rubbing shoulders with politicians at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, during her work experience with the SDLP.

North Belfast girl Catherine Donnelly is studying History, English Literature, Drama and Politics. She is considering pursuing politics as a career, and the SDLP were more than happy to accommodate her so that she could learn more about the field.

Speaking of her experience, Catherine said “My week at Stormont was hectic, but ultimately really inspiring and enjoyable. It was extremely strange walking past and in some cases meeting some of the key political figures that are so often on the TV and in the newspapers, including SDLP leader Mark Durkan, MP MLA.

“The week also introduce me to some of the many different branches of politics which I never even knew existed before. From the first morning, I was well look after. I was in the Assembly Chamber to watch MLAs debating the taxi bill. I was also lucky to accompany Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to a ministerial meeting, whom I found extremely helpful and interesting to talk to.

“Tuesday saw me in the press office; where I was shown how they deal with public relations and press, and they even risked letting me write a press release! In the same day I was given the exciting opportunity to visit the press rooms, including the BBC Stormont Live studio and various radio, conference and journalist rooms.

“During the week I also seen at firsthand the historic making of a Bill of Rights in the Wellington Park Hotel, which Alban Maginness MLA is involved in. I was introduced to a number of international experts, including the chair, Australian Human Rights lawyer and activist Chris Sidoti. It was intriguing to listen to the different opinions of the representatives of many different sectors of Northern Irish society. With constant references to law and European Union guidelines, it was a small introduction into the wider world of politics outside Northern Ireland.”

Catherine concluded, “It was a week well spent and very rewarding. Without a doubt it was an informative experience and I would like to thank everyone at the SDLP offices who went out of their way to make me feel welcome and were constantly eager to explain all aspects of their jobs.”

Catherine certainly left an impression on the SDLP as North Belfast Assembly Member Alban Maginness commented, “Catherine represented her school with excellence. She is undoubtedly a very intelligent young woman with a real interest in law and politics. I hope her time with the SDLP has helped to inspire her and I look forward to the day I see her in Stormont as a young professional.”

SDLP Youth are angry that the University of Ulster Students’ Union cancelled a cross-party meeting minutes before the meeting was due to take place without notifying political parties.

SDLP Youth Vice Chair Peter Armstrong said: “The University of Ulster Students Union today cancelled the review meeting of the Political Protocol minutes before it was due to take place. They failed to communicate this to political parties involved, and despite several requests they have been unable to explain why it was cancelled.

“SDLP Youth were joined by three other political parties in sending student representatives to UU Coleraine to meet with the Students Union. We had to find out from other sources that the Students Union had cancelled the meeting at the last minute and have since failed to return any of our calls to inform us why it was cancelled.

“This was a vital meeting regarding the Political Protocol - a University of Ulster policy document that discriminates against student societies. The Protocol censors student activities by banning societies from recruiting or campaigning. The University of Ulster has refused to put the Political Protocol through Equality Impact Assessments, realising that the legalities of the Protocol are highly questionable and arguably breaching several Human Rights laws.

SDLP University and Colleges Officer, Malachy Quinn continued:
“The SDLP have organised and chaired a series of cross-party meetings at the University which included two meetings in the past fortnight. Last month we took the campaign online and launched www.AbolishProtocol.com , and our campaign to Abolish the Political Protocol has majority support from all the political parties active at the University.

“A Political Protocol does not exist at any other University in the UK or Ireland. We just want a normal situation where groups of students can set up student societies. We want the Protocol abolished so we can have the same freedoms that societies at Queens University enjoy. We want an open, democratic and transparent Students Union that communicates and consults with all of the student groups. We have been protesting and petitioning for three years now. It’s time the UU Students Union listened to the students they supposedly represent!”