Claire Hanna is set to take over at the helm of the SDLP. She will be seventh leader since the formation of the party and its second female leader.
The South Belfast and Mid Down MP is widely considered one of the north’s most effective politicians. She easily outshines many of her rather lacklustre contemporaries, fizzling with energy and drive. Her authenticity means that she can attract support far beyond traditional SDLP voters.
For many, though, the main thing is that she is relatable. She is one of the few of our politicians that looks like she might be fun to hang out with.
Like half the population, it would seem, she wasted hours of her life on Saturday morning failing to secure Oasis tickets. She also revealed in the post-ticket debacle banter that she almost managed to see them in Dublin in 1996 but was grounded when her parents found a bottle of cider in her bag, as she was heading out the door for the bus.
Troubles ceasefires showed that the political process always offered an alternative to violence - The Irish News view
The new SDLP and UUP leaders need to jointly offer an alternative to the DUP and Sinn Féin’s loveless marriage - Tom Kelly
Charismatic political leadership is of course about much more than being a good television........