When the nominations for Colum Eastwood's successor ended last month, she was the lone contender.

In August of last year, Mr. Eastwood made his announcement about leaving the leadership position.

Ms. Hanna, the MP for South Belfast and Mid Down, informed the delegates during her first speech as leader that a new Northern Ireland will be created "along the way" as a result of Irish unity.

Recent elections have seen the SDLP's vote share shrink, and nationalists' support for Sinn Féin is rising. Currently holding the fifth-largest seat in Stormont, it serves as the official opposition.

Although Ms. Hanna's family relocated to Belfast prior to her entering school, she was born in County Galway. She is well-established in the party.

Her mother worked as a minister in one of the first power-sharing executives in 2002, while her father held a top position in the SDLP.

Ms. Hanna began her address by expressing gratitude to everyone who encouraged her to seek a career in politics, especially her steadfast parents, Eamon and Carmel of the SDLP.

Her concerns about politics being "stuck between our past and our future" were voiced, but she also expressed pleasure in the SDLP's history and its pivotal part in the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

She underlined her dedication to social democracy as well.

"As a party we need to change how we do things, but not why we do things," she stated.

Earlier, during his last conference speech as leader, Mr. Eastwood was met with a standing ovation.

Claiming to see "the same spirit in this spirit today," he praised the SDLP for being the party founded in 1970 that "chose civil rights over civil war," mentioning in particular the efforts of Belfast councillor Paul Doherty and Derry mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

"I am so excited and inspired by our new leader," he stated.