THE loss of councillor Paul Doherty to the SDLP is a blow, of that there is no doubt.

For the first time in west Belfast, the party has no elected representatives. Some of that is self-inflicted.

For years, the area has had little presence when it needed a busy constituency office.

Despite the best efforts of stalwarts like the Attwoods and Maggie Walsh — who endured repeated attacks on her home for her political work — it has been allowed to wither on the vine.

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Through Foodstock and breakfast clubs, Doherty was visible, rooted, and the SDLP’s best Assembly hope. He’s likeable and hard-working. You get out what you put in.

There is no doubt either that SDLP representatives on Belfast City Council mishandled their response to the Bobby Sands debacle.

Contributing to a debate and then walking out just as the vote is taken is a dereliction of public representation.

This is just another example of them gathering more splinters on their backside from fence sitting recently than the Alliance party has in 30 years.

That might suit voters in the large houses of south Belfast. For someone like Paul Doherty, born and bred in west Belfast, fudging an issue is anathema.

That’s not to say his........

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