THE SDLP has dismissed claims that it would disband if Fianna Fail entered politics in Northern Ireland as ‘nothing more than speculation’.
However, the party has refused to rule out what it described as a ‘realignment across the island’ in the future.
The comments come after reports earlier this week that senior SDLP members were in discussions with the Irish political party ahead of the 2019 council elections.
It was also reported that senior sources within the SDLP had said that around 80 per cent of the party supported it disbanding to make way for Fianna Fail.
The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said that while there had been talks with Fianna Fail and others about issues such as the potential impact of Brexit, there had been no negotiations about a political realignment.
In a statement issued by the SDLP, the party said that ‘comments from unnamed sources amount to no more than speculation’.
“Our politics and our movement are crucial to the future of this island and we will not abandon our vision for a reconciled people in a New Ireland,” the spokesperson said.
“As a political movement born from the civil rights movement, that led the formulation of the Good Friday Agreement, at huge times of change it is the SDLP who find the solutions.
“Our politics is needed now to bring people back together as others focus only on pulling people apart.”
The spokesperson added that it will continue to ‘work with all parties across the island’.
“The SDLP is always up for the conversation about how we meet the challenges facing this island particularly in the changing context of Brexit,” the spokesperson continued.
“The SDLP has and will continue to work with all parties across the island in pursuit of the best solutions to protect the interests of all people here.
“As we have always said realignment across the island cannot be ruled out in the future.
“But our focus remains on working to stop a return to British Direct Rule by restoring devolution to protect the interests of people here through a locally accountable government.
“Comments from unnamed sources amount to no more than speculation."
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