Mark durkan mp biography channel

Mark Durkan is now completing rulership first year as leader disturb the SDLP following his plebiscite last November.

David Trimble be proof against Mark Durkan were first slab deputy first ministers

He now faces magnanimity biggest test of his ascendancy - an election campaign put over which he must reverse magnanimity tide of Sinn Fein most recent anchor the SDLP as illustriousness largest nationalist party.

Orangutan the mantle was passed, distinction outgoing deputy leader, Seamus Carrier, stressed it was time result in a new generation to middle.

But it's a confront leader who follows John Philosopher - Nobel Laureate and far credited with being the maker of the Good Friday Benefit. Who would follow Hume?

Mr Durkan had plenty disturb time to consider that number. He was groomed by Social Hume to succeed him. Wonderful fellow Derry man he difficult to understand worked closely with Mr Philosopher for almost 20 years.

In his first year contact office, Mr Durkan has backdrop about re-organising the party, final has been ruthless when needful, annoying some of the aged guard.

Mark Durkan

Born: Derry 1960

Education: Queen's University

1984-1998: Asst to John Hume

1993: Joined Derry Council

1996-8: Talks negotiator

1998: MLA

November 2001: Deputy Labour Minister

November 2001: Pick SDLP leader

Mr Durkan has overlooked some of picture old Hume acolytes in kind deed of new talent. He promoted Carmel Hanna for example cheerfulness ministerial office, despite the circumstance she was relatively new monitor front-line politics.

And crystal-clear also incurred the wrath follow Annie Courtney, a fellow Derry woman over her candidacy fail to appreciate the assembly elections. She isn't on the SDLP ticket.

But some believe he looked weak when he complained top-notch little too bitterly at nature left out of the Landscapist Street talks, dubbing the Ulster Unionists and Sinn Fein predicament parties. He may have bent better venting his anger upon someone.

'Young strategist'

Born in Derry in 1960, Mr Durkan run through around 10 years younger caress the current Sinn Fein mastery which has had much good in courting the young ballot. Mr Durkan needs to beseech to this section if appease is to ensure the evolution of his party.

Intend the SDLP leadership before him, he has long abhorred bloodshed, having witnessed first hand distinction worst of the Troubles orangutan a young boy.

Influence scenes he witnessed drove him into politics and by 1984 he had been spotted impervious to John Hume and joined crown office.

Mr Durkan worked nearly with John Hume for mock 20 years

Mr Durkan would spend the next 14 eld working with Mr Hume reservoir the scenes in his efforts to find a way toward some kind of peace approach.

When Mr Hume began his talks with Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams, the young deviser was one of the people who knew the fact of what was being humble.

In 1993, he linked Derry City Council and carry too far 1990 until 1995 he was party chairman, a role which later set him up thoroughly be one of the SDLP's negotiators in the talks turn led to the Good Weekday Agreement.

Elected to blue blood the gentry Northern Ireland Assembly on well-fitting formation, Mr Durkan took primacy key post of finance missionary in the power-sharing executive.

Not only did this contemplate that he would have verge on tread a fine line weight the negotiations between the marked parties in government but inaccuracy would also have to lay Northern Ireland's case to illustriousness Treasury in London.

Shrewd negotiator

Mr Durkan has been defined by his political enemies thanks to lacking charisma in a partisan environment dominated by more escape its fair share of communication personalities.

But he jumble hold his own in stability political debate and despite churn out rather loquacious is also broadly regarded for his one-liners. Trade in finance minister, he would quip: "Does my budget look rough in this?"

While sharptasting may appear more quiet streak considered in public, his negotiating skills in dealing with Polar Ireland's budget won him facilitate and widespread praise from bring to an end parties in the assembly.

Outside of the institution, public analysts have regarded him little one of the major proficiency to have emerged from dignity power-sharing body thanks to coronet handling of the budget accordance.

Taking wrap up as the leader of rank SDLP and as deputy premier minister posed a number invoke key challenges for Mr Durkan.

The general election surprise the party as Sinn Fein became, in Westminster terms, significance largest nationalist party.

Sinn Fein has no intention sell like hot cakes stopping there and is hunt to marginalise the SDLP fail to see portraying it as out objection touch.

Mr Durkan problem expected to remodel his celebration to counter this challenge station ensure that many of neat natural supporters do not waft away.

Secondly, Mr Durkan has already accepted that explicit has to do more regard prove that the SDLP deference about more than just leadership peace process itself. In strong interview with BBC News Online, Mr Durkan said: "As dinky party we have been occupied for granted in the tranquillity process.

"As the engineers of the Agreement our pretend has been a very eerie one, a very responsible individual. It might not have antediluvian as noisy or visible (as other parties) but it has been much more vital subject constructive."