8 September 2026
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has told the Assembly and Executive Review Committee that parties must act now to reform the political institutions, warning that public confidence may not survive another collapse.
She said targeted “keyhole surgery” could help stabilise the institutions, strengthen delivery and prevent another emergency negotiation that merely postpones the underlying problems.
Claire Hanna MP said:
"Politics here is fundamentally broken. People outside Stormont do not see or believe that those inside this building are working together to improve their lives. Dysfunction and the decay of public services have become the hallmarks of this Executive. We cannot continue sleepwalking towards another crisis, allowing the largest parties to leverage their power before agreeing another deal that simply kicks the can down the road.
"Political leaders were given mandates on the basis of promises they have not delivered on. In some cases, that is the result of a failure of political leadership. In others, it is a consequence of a system that needs an upgrade. If Stormont collapses again, or an Executive cannot be formed after the next election, the public will have little appetite for hoping it will be third time lucky.
"We have an opportunity to act before that happens. The changes under consideration are modest and aren’t the height of the SDLP’s ambitions, but they could help to stabilise the institutions, normalise our politics and shift the focus towards delivery and better government.
"The SDLP will engage positively with the proposals put forward by the Secretary of State. We have concerns about some elements, but we will not obstruct serious efforts to arrest the decline of public services and move politics away from the division and distraction that have failed to deliver for the past 20 years.
"What we have is not working, and every party knows it. No party will get everything it wants, but protecting party political interests cannot continue to take priority over delivering for people.
"Communities across Northern Ireland are living with the consequences of Stormont’s failure every day. From SEN provision and housing to transport and other essential services, the absence of a Budget and effective government is causing real harm. It is not good enough to wait until the next crisis. We need targeted reform now, while there is still an opportunity to rebuild public confidence and make these institutions work."