THE SDLP's new deputy leader has pledged to burst the “political bubble” at Stormont and give community groups, farmers, business owners and local people an input on decision making.

Former Impartial Reporter journalist Fearghal McKinney was elevated to the role following a vote by SDLP members at their party conference in Armagh on Saturday. Colum Eastwood, the SDLP's youngest MLA, defeated Dr. Alasdair McDonnell in a vote to become the sixth leader of the party.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Impartial Reporter, Mr. McKinney has spoken of his desire to deliver for people “in a real and meaningful way.”

“I believe we need to look outside the Stormont political bubble at times to hear what our social partners and people on the ground are thinking. There should be a forum where business and unions, farmers and retailers, community and voluntary bodies, the churches and other groups can have some direct input and impact on the political process,” he said.

Mr. McKinney, who grew up in Enniskillen, has admitted there is a “sense of apathy among voters” which he says is "understandable given that the ambitions of the Good Friday Agreement were not quite realised.”

“The SDLP are determined to find long-term solutions to political inertia and ensure that we don’t lurch from crisis to crisis. Along with the new leader Colum Eastwood I want to unite and inspire the party for a whole new generation seeking social justice, equality and a better future,” he said.

That's the same Mr. Eastwood whom Mr. Kinney did not vote for during Saturday's leadership contest. Asked for his thoughts on working with the new leader despite not voting for him, Mr. McKinney said: “Colum is a talented and articulate politician who has the ability to renew and update the party.”

“I already have a very good working relationship with Colum which I am confident will get even stronger over the next number of years. We are determined to work together for the good of the party and banish any of the old rivalries or divisions.”

It is widely believed that the SDLP in Fermanagh has been in the doldrums ever since Tommy Gallagher lost the party's only Assembly seat in 2011. Mr. McKinney wants to improve its fortunes.

“We believe the ground work laid by a number of new faces in the area over the past couple of years will reap rewards in the years ahead.”

He praised former U.S President Bill Clinton for the “risks he took for peace” and believes the next stage for Northern Ireland is to have at least one million people in work.

Mr. McKinney has reached a pivotal position in Northern Ireland politics without so much as receiving one vote from the electorate but he remains confident of his ability to deliver.

“My record as party health spokesperson shows I am not someone who is afraid to hold the Democratic Unionist Party, or anyone else for that matter to account,” he said.