Derry and Strabane Council set to make history with first black mayor

Derry and Strabane is set to make history by having the North's first black mayor, Derry Now can reveal.

Derry Now understands that SDLP councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr has gained the party's nomination to replace current incumbent Patricia Logue as the city and district's in June.

Cllr Seenoi-Barr was first co-opted to Derry and Strabane District Council in 2021. She was subsequently elected in the 2023 local elections.

Derry Now understands that a selection convention was due to take place on Monday evening. However the meeting has since been cancelled as the party's management committee has opted to nominate Cllr Seenoi-Barr for mayor instead of taking it to a vote among the party's 300 members.

Two other candidates were in the running to become the SDLP's pick for mayor, they were councillors Shauna Cusack and Jason Barr.

In a joint statement to party members, councillors Cusack and Barr expressed concerns over the party's selection process of who was to become the new mayor.

The councillors stated that 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".

The also stated that the decision by the party's management committee was "misleading and evasive".

In a joint statement to party members, councillors Cusack and Barr said: "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.”

The statement added: “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."

Both councillors say the have 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".

The said: “Our requests have been met with silence from all concerned. This means that with the tight deadline for action expiring today, there can now be no change in events.

“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.”

The SDLP has been contacted for comment.