2019 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election
9 November 2019
 
Candidate Steve Aiken
Party Ulster Unionist
Popular vote Unopposed
Percentage 100%
Leader before election

Robin Swann

 Elected Leader

Steve Aiken

An election for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was held on 9 November 2019 at the party's Annual General Meeting.[1] The election followed the resignation of incumbent leader Robin Swann on 30 September 2019 after the party lost 13 councillors in the local government elections in May and failed to retain its representation in the European Parliament.[2] The result was that South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken was elected unopposed.

Doug Beattie, MLA for Upper Bann and a retired Army Captain, was speculated as a potential candidate for the leadership. Beattie had said he would "take soundings" with regard to the leadership position. However, on 14 October 2019, the Upper Bann MLA said a contested leadership election would be a distraction. He endorsed Steve Aiken, a former Royal Navy commander who was elected MLA for South Antrim in 2016. Both Aiken and Beattie were seen as "being largely on the liberal side of the party."[3]

On 23 October 2019, the party confirmed that Aiken was the only nomination received by officials. He was confirmed as leader on 9 November at the party's Annual General Meeting.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Ulster Unionist Party: Steve Aiken to become new leader". BBC News. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  2. ↑ "Robin Swann to step down as Ulster Unionist leader". BBC News. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  3. ↑ "Ulster Unionist Party: Doug Beattie will not stand for leadership". BBC News. 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  4. ↑ "Steve Aiken confirmed as new UUP leader". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2019-11-09. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-09-29.


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