SDLP councillor Shauna Cusack
Two SDLP councillors, Shauna Cusack and Jason Barr, have questioned democratic processes within the party after they were removed from a competition to be selected as Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council, so that a single candidate could be put forward for the post.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who also is director of the North West Migrant Forum, is now expected to be put forward for the role.
She will make history as the first black mayor in the North of Ireland.
But the move has led to a rift within the party’s Derry branch
Following a decision by Sinn Féin, and in a break with recent tradition, there will not be a unionist mayor in the four-year council term.
Sinn Féin was entitled to nominate a mayor in three of the four years of the new council term.
The SDLP as the next largest party is entitled to this position in the remaining year.
In a joint statement, Councillors Cusack and Barr expressed their frustration with the party breaking from convention.
They said: “Dear Friends, Colleagues and Members, Joint statement from Cllr Shauna Cusack & Cllr Jason Barr
“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.
“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.
SDLP Councillor Jason Barr
“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.
“Thank you again. Kind Regards, Cllr Shauna Cusack, Cllr Jason Barr.”
Angela Dobbins, who stepped down as an SDLP councillor in Derry last year, posted on Facebook: “So, It has now become apparent the SDLP has now removed the ‘D’ from its title.
“SHAME on them!!!”
An SDLP spokesperson said: “The party does not comment on internal selection processes.”
They added: “We are currently engaged in a process to appoint a new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council and will make a formal announcement when that process is complete.”
Ms Cllr Seenoi-Barr joined the SDLP team on Derry and Strabane District Council in June 2021 after Mary Durkan walked away from her councillor role.
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