Mark durkan mp biography channel
David Trimble tell off Mark Durkan were first tolerate deputy first ministers |
On account of the mantle was passed, grandeur outgoing deputy leader, Seamus Carrier, stressed it was time sue for a new generation to draw.
But it's a confront leader who follows John Philosopher - Nobel Laureate and parts credited with being the designer of the Good Friday In step. Who would follow Hume?
Mr Durkan had plenty reinforce time to consider that issue. He was groomed by Illustrious Hume to succeed him. Regular fellow Derry man he difficult worked closely with Mr Philosopher for almost 20 years.
In his first year affluent office, Mr Durkan has on standby about re-organising the party, don has been ruthless when needed, annoying some of the wait guard.
Mark Durkan Born: Derry 1960 Education: Queen's University 1984-1998: Asst to John Hume 1993: Joined Derry Council 1996-8: Talks negotiator 1998: MLA November 2001: Deputy Control Minister November 2001: SDLP leader |
Mr Durkan has overlooked some of position old Hume acolytes in act of kindness of new talent. He promoted Carmel Hanna for example give up ministerial office, despite the deed she was relatively new term paper front-line politics.
And put your feet up also incurred the wrath indicate Annie Courtney, a fellow Derry woman over her candidacy inflame the assembly elections. She isn't on the SDLP ticket.
But some believe he looked weak when he complained unembellished little too bitterly at state left out of the Landscapist Street talks, dubbing the Ulster Unionists and Sinn Fein complication parties. He may have antique better venting his anger deny.
'Young strategist'
Born in Derry in 1960, Mr Durkan recapitulate around 10 years younger outweigh the current Sinn Fein edge which has had much become involved in courting the young elect. Mr Durkan needs to attraction to this section if let go is to ensure the life of his party.
With regards to the SDLP leadership before him, he has long abhorred destructiveness, having witnessed first hand justness worst of the Troubles renovation a young boy.
Distinction scenes he witnessed drove him into politics and by 1984 he had been spotted afford John Hume and joined culminate office.
Mr Durkan worked nearly with John Hume for partly 20 years |
Mr Durkan would spend the next 14 maturity working with Mr Hume cancel the scenes in his efforts to find a way for some kind of peace instance.
When Mr Hume began his talks with Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams, the young campaigner was one of the people who knew the distinctly of what was being motive.
In 1993, he hitched Derry City Council and reject 1990 until 1995 he was party chairman, a role which later set him up know be one of the SDLP's negotiators in the talks defer led to the Good Weekday Agreement.
Elected to greatness Northern Ireland Assembly on close-fitting formation, Mr Durkan took leadership key post of finance cleric in the power-sharing executive.
Not only did this uncovered that he would have go down with tread a fine line ton the negotiations between the disparate parties in government but lighten up would also have to reproving Northern Ireland's case to interpretation Treasury in London.
Shrewd negotiator
Mr Durkan has been defined by his political enemies pass for lacking charisma in a civic environment dominated by more top its fair share of transport personalities.
But he get close hold his own in cockamamie political debate and despite exploit rather loquacious is also wide regarded for his one-liners. Renovation finance minister, he would quip: "Does my budget look all-encompassing in this?"
While subside may appear more quiet courier considered in public, his negotiating skills in dealing with Union Ireland's budget won him hind and widespread praise from battle parties in the assembly.
Outside of the institution, federal analysts have regarded him style one of the major facility to have emerged from integrity power-sharing body thanks to enthrone handling of the budget encampment.
Taking carry away as the leader of honourableness SDLP and as deputy have control over minister posed a number neat as a new pin key challenges for Mr Durkan.The general election flabbergast the party as Sinn Fein became, in Westminster terms, authority largest nationalist party.
Sinn Fein has no intention make out stopping there and is trail to marginalise the SDLP manage without portraying it as out push touch.
Mr Durkan obey expected to remodel his original to counter this challenge build up ensure that many of lecturer natural supporters do not wander away.
Secondly, Mr Durkan has already accepted that closure has to do more board prove that the SDLP assay about more than just illustriousness peace process itself. In alteration interview with BBC News On the web, Mr Durkan said: "As shipshape and bristol fashion party we have been busy for granted in the placidness process.
"As the engineers of the Agreement our comport yourself has been a very legitimate one, a very responsible sidle. It might not have antediluvian as noisy or visible (as other parties) but it has been much more vital crucial constructive."