26 March 2025 

The SDLP has secured representation in the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) grouping at the European Parliament.

The S&D group has extended an open invitation to the SDLP to attend group meetings.

It comes following engagement from the party after the launch of the ‘Our European Future’ document last year.

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP said:

“Since Brexit, Northern Ireland has lost its voice and representation in the heart of Europe. We have been cut off from direct engagement in European affairs and left unable to have a say on the many issues that impact people here that are decided in Brussels.

“The SDLP has a long history of S&D group membership at the European Parliament and we’re delighted that we will now have an SDLP voice back around that table standing up for people in Northern Ireland and making sure their voice is heard on the issues that matter to them.

“I’d like to thank my Irish Labour Party colleague Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP and all of our friends in the S&D grouping for extending this invitation which we will be using to renew our relationship with Europe and highlight our priorities around areas like dual market access, freedom of movement for our young people and the importance of European investment in Northern Ireland.

“This is an important first step in securing greater representation for Northern Ireland in Europe, but we have some way to go to undo the harm caused by Brexit. The SDLP will continue to build on this work to reclaim our European future and to establish a New Ireland with European Union membership at its core.”