Our 2025/26 Team.

Chairperson

Jude Osborne

Jude Osborne is the chairperson of SDLP Youth. A 20-year-old Economics student from County Derry, he is committed to a New Ireland rooted in European values of democracy, solidarity, and social justice. Deeply inspired by the European project’s emphasis on cooperation and equality, they see youth engagement as central to building a fair and forward-looking island. Having become active in politics through electoral campaigning, they are passionate about empowering young people to take part in conversations about Ireland’s future and its place in a united, outward-looking Europe. With areas such as mental health, the Irish language, and social democracy being his key motivators.

Twitter judeosborne05@gmail.com

Vice Chairperson

Eilidh O’Connor

Eilidh O’Connor is the Vice-Chairperson and North/South Officer of SDLP Youth. She is a 21-year-old Law and French student from Derry, currently studying in Dublin. She is passionate about delivering a New and Inclusive Ireland for people from all backgrounds. As a former president of the SSUNI, she has long been a champion for student rights and has advocated for increased youth participation in politics.

Secretary General

Fiachra McCarney-Savage

Fiachra McCarney-Savage is Secretary General of SDLP Youth. An 18-year-old activist from Belfast, he advocates for the voices of young people, particularly in discussions about a New Ireland. Passionate about healthcare, he actively campaigns for NHS reform to provide more efficient and higher-quality care for everyone in the North. With his involvement in many community organisations, he strives to end divisive politics and champions a new cross-party approach that sets aside differences to focus on common goals.

Communications Officer

Will Polland

Will Polland is the Communications and Campaigns Officer for the SDLP Youth. He is a 22-year-old Representative for Strangford in the SDLP. A locally and nationally recognised champion of a New Ireland, he is committed to building a shared, European future which tackles issues on both sides of the border. Will is a proud advocate for rural communities, taking the fight for better services and transport directly to Stormont.

Equality Officer

Nancy Lynn

Nancy Lynn is the Equality Officer for SDLP Youth. Nancy is from Ballycastle, County Antrim, and is a recent graduate of Queen's University Belfast, with a degree in English with Creative Writing. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, Nancy is passionate about equality for all when building a New Ireland. She is also passionate about tackling sectarianism and division across the island of Ireland.

Membership and Recruitment Officer

Tony McCann

Tony McCann is the membership and recruitment officer of SDLP Youth. He is a 23-year-old studying for a Master's in Irish Studies at Queen's University Belfast. Tony is passionate about gaining civil rights for all and tackling sectarianism. He ran in the 2023 local elections for his local area, Bangor West, and witnessed people’s desire for more left-wing politics in NI. As membership officer, Tony wants to bring more young people from different backgrounds into social democratic politics.

Policy Officer

Maeve Cunningham

Maeve Cunningham is the policy officer for SDLP Youth. Maeve is a 21-year-old from Ballycastle, County Antrim. She has recently graduated from Queen's University with a History and Politics degree. She is passionate about social justice and equality, community relations, and reconciliation. Having recently joined the party, she looks forward to getting more young people involved in building something new.

Under 18’s Officer

Alex Egan

Alex Egan is Under-18s Officer for SDLP Youth. He is 16 and is currently studying A-Levels in History, Politics and German. He became involved in the party in the 2024 General Election campaign in South Belfast & Mid Down. He passionately supports Votes at 16 and believes in increased political education in the school curriculum to make young people feel empowered to partake fully in the democratic process. He is driven by the potential of our island, which he believes can be realised through the SDLP’s vision for a new and united Ireland: at the heart of Europe, enriched by its diversity and rooted in compassion, social and economic justice and shared prosperity.

Women’s Officer

Aoibheann Kennedy

Aoibheann Kennedy is the women’s officer of SDLP Youth. She is a 22-year-old Speech and Language Therapy student from Newry. Aoibheann is passionate about tackling women’s issues in politics and campaigning for a safer society. She is also focused on creating an inclusive new Ireland in collaboration with people from other backgrounds. Aoibheann would like to encourage more young people to get involved with politics and raise their voice.