Social Democratic & Labour Party of Bynter

The Social Democratic & Labour Party (SDLP, Social-Democrats, Labour, New-Left) is the 'Official Opposition' in the state of Bynter. Formed mostly from the 'Independent Labour Party' the SDLP is recougnised as the more left wing of the dominant political parties in Bynter and is, unfortunately for the party, the one that has enjoyed significantly less power.

Currently the SDLP holds 167 seats (of 600) in the National Parliament of Bynter. Prior to this sitting of Congress the SDLP controlled Government for 8 years.

History

Formed in 1918 in a merger between the New Democratic Party and the famous Independent Labour Party the 'Social Democratic & Labour Party' aired, at first, a socialist platform but by the 1960's had developed a social-democratic platform. Recougnised as the main left-wing party in Bynter the SDLP enjoys representation at either Governance level or at 'Official Opposition' level.

The SDLP Today

The Social Democratic & Labour Party (often known as the 'SDLP') are the current Official Opposition within Bynter. In the previous (2003) election the SDLP won 167 seats within the National Parliament. Although falling well short of a majority the SDLP have earnt a reasnoble opposition position. Prior to the election the SDLP held an eight-year Government that streched party-policy to 'the centre ground'.

The SDLP is, by Charter & Party Constitution, a 'democratic socialist' party. The term 'socialism' has not actually been used in any SDLP official literature since 1989. Since the electoral success of the National Liberty Party in the 1980's the SDLP has been forced to move to a more moderate and centrist cannon of thought and policy. Slowly but surely the party is adopting a more centrist doctrine mixed with aspects of social-democracy. Socialism has been almost forgotten by the party except in some more radical sections.

The party advocates joining the United Nations, introducing a minimum wage, safeguarding worker's rights, democratic progress in Vurt (favouring the seperatists), nationalising many key industires (such as water and sanitation), seperating Church and State so to create a 'non-secualar' society, supporting more grassroots democratic institutions and, finally, a progressive tax rate which can be used to increase spending in welfare, healthcare, education and public transport.

In the island of Vurt the SDLP does not stand. Instead it has an electoral agreement with the 'Vurt People's Party'. The 'VPP' is a centre-left party that stands for Vurt to be an independent republic. In addition the SDLP (and VPP) also stand in agreement with the Downe Local Party (DLL) who agree to allow the DLP to contest Downe only elections in return for DLL support for the VPP and SDLP in national elections.

The SDLP is an organisation consisting of the political party itself, affiliated trade unions and academic societies. These together elect the 'Head Council' (HC). The SDLP HC directs party policy and elects a President (who presides over the HC). A leader is elected from members of the party, trade union votes and society votes. As of 2006 the SDLP declared membership of 100,000 - making it the largest policical party by membership.

Members have, over time, created different sections within the party. 'Radicals' within the party are said to be part of the 'True Labour Voice'. 'True Labour Voice' is estimated to have 10-25 members in Parliament. 'Social Democrats' tend to field themselves into to the 'Wild Bear Democrats' (in name of the national animal). Wild Bear Democrats usually hold social-democratic beliefs and tie in social liberalism. They are known to have 80-130 members in parliament. Finally the 'Modern Bynter' group consists of centrists. They number 10-15 members in Parliament.

Years in Government

As the 'Independent Labour Party'

• 1909-1918 - Prime Minister Janko Brasic (in coalition with the New Democratic Party)

As the 'Social Democratic & Labour Party'

• 1934-1942 - Prime Minister Aleksandar Deroko
• 1966-1978 - Prime Minister David Andrews (in coalition with the Liberal Party)
• 1995-2003 - Prime Minister Rudi Supek

28 years since creation, or, alternatively, 32% of Governments since the SDLP was created.