Two Derry SDLP councillors express concern over Mayoral selection

Two Derry SDLP councillors have expressed concerns over the party's selection of who is to become the city nd district's new Mayor.

The SDLP is next in line to pick Derry and Strabane's new mayor once current incumbent Patricia Logue's time comes to an end.

Derry Now understands that a selection convention was due to be held on Monday evening with three candidates vying to gain the party's nomination to become the new First Citizen.

However it has emerged that the party's management committee has opted to select a candidate for mayor without taking it to a vote by party members.

Two of the councillors who were in the running to gain the SDLP nomination to be mayor, councillors Shauna Cusack and Jason Barr have expressed their frustration with the management committee's decision.

In a joint statement to party members, councillors Cusack and Barr said: "Sadly by now you will have received notification that the selection convention arranged for Monday coming to select a Mayor for Derry City and Strabane District Council has been postponed. Please be advised that this has NOT been postponed but CANCELLED.

"Many of you have been in touch to ask why, as you have already made arrangements to attend and updated your membership accordingly, so you deserve an explanation.

"This has occurred because the management committee/panel have decided earlier this week to reject cllr Shauna Cusack and cllr Jason Barr as candidates, removing us from the process and competition, in order to put only one candidate forward for the post.

“We were advised that this was the result of a retrospective, informal, online interview held on Monday, which we were told was a matter of procedure for constitutional purposes.

“At no stage were we advised that this would determine our candidacy.

"As an elected rep with an 11-year mandate, popular local profile and strong track record on delivery for the SDLP, alongside a current Deputy Mayor with an excellent portfolio and community platform, never did we imagine we would not have the calibre or criteria to be eligible for the post of Mayor of our city and district, never mind not given the opportunity to present or compete in a democratic selection.

"As you will be aware we had already been nominated and the three candidates details, as well as the date of the selection, circulated to all 300 members by HQ.

“We had also been supplied with your emails from HQ and canvassed you all for your support. So this came as much as a shock to us as I’m sure it does to you now.”

The statement added: “I feel it is important that you are aware of the full circumstances surrounding this surprising and abnormal situation as the information from HQ is, in our opinion, quite misleading and evasive.

“To avoid any confusion there will be no future date for a selection convention competition but rather one to ratify the single candidate who has now been selected by the management committee.

“Both myself and Jason are incredibly disappointed and frustrated that you, as members, will not be given the opportunity to vote for your candidate of choice to be the next SDLP first citizen.

“We have, like others, lodged our objections to this highly irregular, unfair and unprecedented process and appealed to the committee to immediately review their decision on the basis of fairness and transparency.

“We have also appealed to the selected candidate to stand with us asking for solidarity in our request for a reconsideration and to also demand the vote proceed on Monday the 29th as planned.

“Our requests have been met with silence from all concerned. This means that with the tight deadline for action expiring today, there can now be no change in events.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for any engagement and support you have given us, not only during our mandate but especially during this highly flawed process.

“We are sorry for any disappointment you may feel. We feel it acutely ourselves. Please be assured that this is not a case of ‘sour grapes’ but a genuine concern about the lack of democracy in the process.

“To be clear no blame can be assigned to our friends on the council group and local elected reps who have been equally dismayed and disappointed. Wishing the best of luck to the future Mayor for the year ahead.”

The SDLP has been contacted for comment.