24 September 2025
Following the close of nominations, SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has written to all of the candidates in the Irish Presidential election.
Please find the full text of the letter below:
Dear X
On behalf of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, I want to extend my best wishes for your presidential campaign in the weeks ahead.
I also want to take this opportunity to ask for your support in using your platform to actively encourage the conversation and planning required to deliver a new and reconciled Ireland.
The SDLP has been deeply engaged in shaping how these discussions can evolve into meaningful, inclusive plans that inspire people across our island. We believe this is about more than constitutional arrangements; it is about building something new together, embracing reconciliation, and reflecting the rich diversity that makes Ireland stronger.
Twenty-seven years after the Good Friday Agreement, it is clear that Northern Ireland, in its current form, is not working. For decades, the SDLP has prioritised reconciliation and stability in good faith. We listened when others said it wasn’t the right time to act.
But the truth is that a decaying status quo is limiting the potential of the region. Whilst the institutions may function, our people have so much to offer, and the SDLP is working hard to reframe the narrative.
We believe that a new and reconciled Ireland isn’t just an aspiration for the North; it is how the whole island can meet its potential in this century. The challenge for all of us who believe in that vision is to convince those who do not of their place in a New Ireland, and to make the case for how this will improve their lives.
This requires a process of structured, all-island dialogue. As a potential future President, you would have a key role to play in fostering and guiding that civic conversation.
That conversation must also include extending presidential voting rights to citizens in the North. This must be the last presidential election where a significant portion of Ireland’s citizens are excluded from the franchise.
As Party Leader, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our vision and ideas for the process that must accompany this vital national conversation.
I wish you every success in your campaign and look forward to engaging with you on how, together, we can unlock the full potential of this island.
Warm regards,
Claire Hanna MP
Leader, Social Democratic and Labour Party