ENG: Dr Alasdair McDonnell (born 1 September 1949) is an Irish politician, deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and both a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and a Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Belfast.
Early life
McDonnell was born in Cushendall, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. A family doctor in Belfast for over thirty years, Alasdair McDonnell grew up as the eldest child in a large farming family in Glenariff, near Cushendall in the Glens of Antrim, and attended medical school at University College Dublin, graduating in 1974.
Political career
McDonnell's first involvement with politics came when he joined the National Democrats and stood as the party candidate in the 1970 election in North Antrim, losing to Ian Paisley.
McDonnell ...
... PUT A BLANKET AROUND THE POOR
As the weather takes a bitterly cold turn SDLP Economy Spokesperson Alasdair McDonnell MP has said the Executive has a new ready-made answer to easing the fuel poverty crisis and save people’s lives and he’s urging the public to lobby government to make it happen.
The South Belfast MP said that if the First and Deputy First Minister are serious about addressing crippling issues of poverty in disadvantaged areas then it should direct a substantial amount of resources in its new Social Investment and Protection Funds towards combating fuel ...
liberal - in poll Alasdair McDonnell South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell has launched his campaign to become leader of the SDLP.
It comes after Margaret Ritchie announced she was stepping down last month, with the intention of focusing instead on her South Down constituency.
Mr McDonnell, who is one of four candidates vying to take over the top job, says his main message is that the SDLP needs radical change and reorganisation.
"We are going to have to cut a new deal, or perhaps a series of new deals, in London, Dublin and here in Belfast as well," he said, unveiling his manifesto.
"This is the job for the SDLP. A ...
cici - in poll Alasdair McDonnell SDLP leadership candidate Dr Alasdair McDonnell will today issue his party colleagues with a stark message - change or die.
He warned that the party "can change the way we work or we can disappear".
The South Belfast MP is preparing to launch his manifesto today which outlines a strategy to halt the party's steady decline.
The document includes plans to invite his current rivals for the top post to join a 'New Deal' collective leadership if he wins next month's vote to elect a new leader.
Read more: Belfast Telegraph (17 October 2011)
martina - in poll Alasdair McDonnell
And the new SDLP leader is…. Alasdair McDonnell! (updated with graph, audio and speeches)
In contrast to Newcastle February 2010 (aye, just last year), which felt like the beginning of a process (disappointed Alasdair supporters muttering darkly into their soup), this feels like the end of a process. Alan will shortly bring you audio of tonight’s speeches, but judging from each of last nights speeches the hustings process seems [...] |
Deluge opens floodgates to criticism of agencies
The recent bad weather in South Belfast has opened up the floodgates to criticism of how agencies are dealing with flooding in areas such as Sicily Park.SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell has held meetings with NI Water to address the response procedures that were implemented in the Finaghy area. |
McDonnell: “We must face up to the reality that the Agreement has run out of road”
Today’s Belfast Telegraph editorial notes what it believes are the choices facing the new SDLP leader: There are a number of choices facing Dr McDonnell. Does he take on Sinn Fein directly in the Assembly, trying to point up that party’s failings in dealing with the current economic crisis and arguing that Sinn Fein’s cosy [...] |
South’s MP holds most outside interests of local MLAs
South Belfast’s MP holds the most outside interests of MLAs in the constituency while another MLA continues to receive nearly £30,000 a year for one to two hours of work a month for a construction company. |
