well of course sf like the gfa, it has been so good to them.
but a sldp/uup attempt at peace hasnt worked. the unionist popualtion seen the gfa as to their disadvantage so they turn to the dup who promise the protection of unionism. the nationalists feel like they are not getting an united ireland fast enough so they turn to sf, and they think that they will get it quicker with them
The SDLP have weakened recently because they failed to sell themselves as a strong and viable alterantive to a growing, strengthening SF. They lacked youth and vigour, they failed to project a sense of unity, and they simply could not compete with the, very effective, SF electoral machine. SF were also aided by the fact that the unionist community was steadily moving towards the DUP given Trimble's continuing decline to his authority. SF are simply seen as a more effective counterweight to the DUP and vice versa.
I would also add, that the majority of the nationalist community know that a united Ireland is a distant prospect, at best.
