A prominent SDLP councillor has quit the party, saying that “space for pro-life voices has all but disappeared” within its ranks.

Councillor Margaret Anne McKillop, who represents the Causeway Coast and Glens constituency in Co Antrim, said the behaviour at the SDLP’s most recent conference made it clear to her that the party “has changed beyond recognition.” Councillor McKillop said she was completely taken aback at the way party members openly “celebrated the loss of unborn life.” She previously served as a Sinn Féin councillor but left the party in 2013 over its support for abortion and later joined the SDLP.

In a recent statement, Councillor McKillop said: “When I joined the SDLP in 2013, I was proud to stand for a pro-life party.” Even though the SDLP shifted in a pro-abortion direction in 2017, she said she still hoped that “differing views could be respected and held in good conscience.”

She said: “Over the years, I tried to hold onto that hope. But today, the party is no longer recognisable from the one I joined. The space for pro life voices has all but disappeared. My commitment to defending those who cannot speak for themselves – particularly the unborn – is something I cannot and will not set aside. I’ve always placed the right to life at the heart of my political work. It has shaped my beliefs, guided my decisions, and grounded my public service.”

In June, both SDLP MPs at Westminster, Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna, voted in favour of decriminalising abortion up to birth in England and Wales – underscoring that the party’s respect for unborn life has completely vanished.

Congratulations to Councillor McKillop for her bold and courageous stand in defence of human life. Pro-life volunteers need to rally behind her to ensure she grows her support base and is comfortably re-elected at the next election.