| Election Name: | 2010 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2001 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election |
| Previous Year: | 2001 |
| Next Election: | 2011 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election |
| Next Year: | 2011 |
| Election Date: | 5–7 February 2010 |
| 1Blank: | 1st Pref. |
| 2Blank: | Percentage |
| Candidate1: | Margaret Ritchie |
| Colour1: | 3A9E84 |
| 1Data1: | 222 |
| 2Data1: | 54.3% |
| Candidate2: | Alasdair McDonnell |
| Colour2: | 3A9E84 |
| 1Data2: | 187 |
| 2Data2: | 45.7% |
| Leader | |
| Before Election: | Mark Durkan |
| After Election: | Margaret Ritchie |
An election for the leadership of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) was held 5–7 February 2010. Margaret Ritchie defeated her only challenger, Alasdair McDonnell, by 222 votes to 187.[1]
The former SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, announced his intention to stand down as leader of the SDLP in September 2009,[2] citing that he did not want to continue to lead the party past his 50th birthday, and also to allow him to concentrate on his parliamentary career.[2] Subsequently, a leadership election was scheduled for the SDLP annual conference in February 2010.[3]
Two SDLP members contested the leadership election.[3] These were:
Below is a table summarising the result of the leadership election:
| 2010 Social Democratic and Labour Party leadership election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Margaret Ritchie | 222 | 54.3 | |
| Alasdair McDonnell | 187 | 45.7 | |
Margaret Ritchie was duly named the new SDLP leader on 7 February 2010.[1]