Following the stepping down of the Ulster Unionist Party’s current leader, Doug Beattie, preparations have been initiated for the appointment of a new leader. These processes commenced on Tuesday after the decision was made during a party officials meeting. The date for closing the nomination is set for August 30th at 4:30pm.
On September 14th, an unprecedented general meeting will be staged to sanction or choose a new party leader. Some party members have expressed concerns about Mr Beattie’s exit, potentially leading to an emergency executive session.
In his departing statement, Mr Beattie cited internal discord, stemming from a disagreement with the local constituency association about selecting a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to take up the mantle from Robin Swann in North Antrium, after the latter’s Westminster election in July.
Presently, no members have expressed intentions to run for the leadership. However, there is conjecture that either Robbie Butler, current deputy leader from Lagan Valley, or East Antrium’s MLA John Stewart may step forward. It’s even plausible that previous UUP leader and current Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, could attempt to reclaim his role. When queried by RTÉ on Monday, Mr Nesbitt said he had expunged the idea of contesting for the position “in a millisecond.”
The UUP hasn’t witnessed an actual leadership campaign since 2012 when Mr Nesbitt emerged victorious against John McCallister. Mr Beattie, who resigned on Monday, was elected unanimously in 2021. A distinguished military veteran who transitioned into an Assembly member for Upper Bann, he aimed to reenergise the party with his unique version of unionism, seeking to differentiate from the DUP and reclaim former unionist voters who had traded their loyalty to Alliance. Despite weathering a controversy in 2022 over derogatory posts he made on social media while still in military service, for which he apologized, he managed to retain his leadership post with the party’s support.
Under his leadership, his party achieved its most impressive electoral result in recent history, securing its first Westminster seat since 2017 in the July general elections. In his departure announcement, Mr Beattie expressed incompatible differences with party officials and a lack of ability to guide and mould the party’s future, indicating his untenability as the party leader. He suggested that his vision and the path he crafted for the party were not universally approved within its ranks. Nevertheless, he expressed his belief in the necessity of an inclusive Ulster Unionist Party that forwards a positive agenda for the preservation of their future. His hope is that the incoming leader will be provided with genuine autonomy, he commented.