By Michael Breslin

MEMBERS of the three SDLP branches in Fermanagh are gearing up for the leadership contest which takes place this week-end, in Newcastle, at the Party's annual conference.

There two candidates are Margaret Ritchie, the Assembly's Minister for Social Development and Alasdair McDonnell, one of the party's three Westminster MP's. Ms Ritchie is assured of the backing of one party 'heavyweight' in the county, Tommy Gallagher, her colleague in the Assembly. He is a member of the Fermanagh North West branch.

Mr Gallagher told the Herald that, of the two, Ms Ritchie had the better vision for the future for the party: "As a colleague, I am also well aware of her energy and enthusiasm. She will be a female voice leading one of the big four parties in Northern Ireland and one that will bring with it a bit of fresh air into our politics."

Mr Gallagher suggested that Ms Ritchie had the support of the majority of the 16 Assembly members and, also, the SDLP's youth group.

John O'Kane, who is also a member of the North West branch, predicted a very tight contest and, speaking on Monday, he felt Alasdair McDonnell had the edge.

"Both of them have been to Fermanagh with us. As a matter of fact, we had a number of meetings in the Clinton Centre. It will go down to the wire, that's the feeling we're getting, with many party branches split 50-50.

"At the moment, I wouldn't put money on it and say what way it's going to go. Both are excellent in ways and have different strengths and, really, I think what people will be looking for is vision and potential to re-organise the party from the ground up and make it more relevant than what it has been of late."

But, while he felt Ms Ritchie would get the support of the North West branch, the Enniskillen branch would favour Mr McDonnell: "I say that because, in fairness, he would come down to visit us when everybody else was ignoring us."

One Enniskillen branch member, Councillor Patricia Rodgers said she would reserve her decision until after Ms Ritchie came down to the county tonight: "I will wait till I see her. I have my mind made up but, to be fair, she's coming to lobby the Enniskillen delegates who include the Enniskillen councillors."

Councillor Fergus McQuillan of the Erne East branch said he hadn't decided yet.

"There was a meeting of the branch about a month ago and it was decided to leave the decision on who to vote for to the delegates, myself and four others. It means we can vote as we wish."

The leadership ballot will take place this Saturday.