Doug Beattie enters race to become UUP leader

The UUP MLA Doug Beattie has entered the race to become the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Earlier in the day he said he would be taking soundings over whether the party wants him to take over as leader.

The Upper Bann MLA and military veteran has been widely linked to the job since Steve Aiken announced his intention to resign on Saturday.

The move, coming just 10 days after DUP leader Arlene Foster was forced to quit after an internal party move against her, has thrown political unionism into further turmoil.

The announcement of Mr Aiken’s departure was also prompted by mounting discontent within the party over his stewardship.

In a statement revealing he would be standing for the UUP leadership, Doug Beattie paid tribute to Mr Aiken's leadership:

"Today I stood with Steve Aiken as he took the decision to step down as the Ulster Unionist Party Leader.

"I know it was not an easy decision for Steve to make but it was made with a moral courage that typifies his service to both his country and party.

"I am grateful for his leadership and his friendship and I am glad that he will remain both an MLA and active member of the Ulster Unionist Party. "With Steve Aiken stepping down as the party leader there is clearly a decision to be made as to who will replace him.

"I now want to make my intensions known in that I will be standing for the Leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party. I do so knowing that we, as a party and as a country, face some very real challenges today and in the future.

"It is not enough to sit back in defence of the Union, it is time to reach out to promote the union and all its benefits. In doing so we can make Northern Ireland a place where people want to live regardless of identity, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

"I want to represent a pro-union politics that offers a modern, progressive vision for the future of the UK. I want to build a Northern Ireland where everyone is able to enjoy a true peace and its benefits, not just the absence of violence.

At a press conference on Monday to formally announce Mr Aiken’s resignation, Mr Beattie said there had been a lot of speculation over who would take over.

He said: “I will think about whether it would be right for me to stand. I will take soundings if the party want me to be leader and if they want to be led by me and I will make a decision.”

Also appearing at the press conference was Lagan Valley MLA and former firefighter Robbie Butler, who has also been linked with a bid to be party leader.

But Mr Butler refused to be drawn on his intentions, instead paying tribute to the leadership of Steve Aiken.

Delivering his resignation statement, South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken, a former submarine commander, said that he was “aware of his limitations”.

He said: “I have taken this difficult decision because, more than ever, unionism and those in Northern Ireland who believe in the union need a clear political voice.”

He said that the UUP had delivered for the people of Northern Ireland but added: “I am, however, self-aware enough to realise that our party, despite our strengths, is not breaking through – I am also very aware of my limitations, and despite successes over the past 19 months I realise that a change in leadership is needed.”

Mr Aiken has said he will stay in position until a successor is found.

Continuing his statement, Mr Aiken said there was a place for a “strong, progressive and inclusive” unionist party in Northern Ireland.

He added: “That party is the Ulster Unionist Party. Our party has delivered for the people of Northern Ireland for many years and, in the centenary of Northern Ireland, continues to do what is right – not just for unionists, but for everyone.

“If anyone doubts our credo of country over party look at how we took the health portfolio when all others avoided it – and I think we are all glad of not just our excellent health professionals, but also for the inspired leadership of Robin Swann.”

He added: “Having been in many command positions before, I know and recognise the critical point when a change is needed, for the greater good and for a reinvigoration of the fight, and that time is now.”

Ulster Unionist chairman Danny Kennedy said the change in leadership in the party would not be carried out in the same way as the DUP.

He said: “Not for us the nastiness of leadership changes carried out in dark corners like the DUP removing Arlene Foster, who frankly was deserving of better.”

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