The SDLP will return to Stormont as the official opposition when – or if – the power-sharing executive returns.
Stormont has been in hiatus since February when the DUP walked out over its protest against the Irish Sea border.
In May’s Assembly election Sinn Féin returned as the largest party, with the DUP relegated into second place. The SDLP had a disastrous election returning with just eight seats.
Party leader Colum Eastwood has written to the Speaker of the Assembly signaling the party’s intention to form an official opposition.
Mr. Eastwood has also formally nominated South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole as Leader of the Opposition.
Speaking after the announcement, Colum Eastwood MP said: “More than two months after people were promised change in May’s Assembly election we still have no new Executive, no new schemes to address soaring energy bills, no new ideas to get the show back on the road.
"Despite big promises made to get money into people’s pockets and to address the real challenges families are facing, we’ve got more of the same failure that came before.
“That’s why I have formally written to the Speaker of the Assembly today informing him that the SDLP will immediately form the Official Opposition at Stormont.
"We have already provided strong opposition to the Tory/DUP axis at Westminster, now the party will provide a constructive alternative to the politics of division, deadlock and failure that has gripped this place for far too long."
Newly nominated Leader of The Opposition, Matthew O’Toole MLA said that his party's first act as an official opposition will be to recall the Assembly this week to "end the deadlock that has gripped our institutions and paralyzed government from taking the decisions needed to address the cost of living crisis facing every household in Northern Ireland."
"Those who have held the democratic institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to ransom cannot be allowed to inflict further pain on our communities while they play cynical power games in London. No more letting them away with it," he said.
“The SDLP has a plan, we have a fully drafted emergency bill that could unlock the millions of pounds resting in Stormont Ministers’ bank accounts and instead put it directly into families' pockets.
"It’s long past time that ministers collecting their wages showed us exactly what the public are paying for. The pretense of governing, while delivering nothing for people and communities must end."
“Our opposition to the politics of division and deadlock which has infected Stormont is about transforming this place and the lives of all its citizens. And my appeal to others is that if you’ve had enough of the failure, then join us. We can build something much better together.”
