Stormont should not be treated as a “soft-play area” for politicians, the SDLP leader Claire Hanna has said in an in-depth interview with the BelTel podcast. In it, she gave her views on Irish unity, on Stormont reform and on the SDLP’s chances of recovery.  Claire Hanna became the leader of the SDLP unopposed in October 2024 having been an MP for south Belfast since 2019.   

Many commentators say the SDLP has been more stridently pro-unity under Hanna’s leadership.  Does she agree?   

 Can she square making Northern Ireland work with not wanting it at all?  

 And can she turn around the SDLP’s long-term decline.   

Claire Hanna, joined Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel.  

The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.