Mike Nesbitt Returns as Ulster Unionist Leader, Pledges Inclusive and Confident Unionism

Mike Nesbitt: Ex-reporter set to head Ulster Unionist Party once again

Mr. Nesbitt, stepping in for the departing leader Doug Beattie, expressed his intention to present a unionist party that is more "relaxed," "confident," and "inclusive."

Friday, August 30, 2024, 9:

Mike Nesbitt is set to take the helm of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) as he was the sole contender for the leadership position.

The deadline to submit nominations for the leadership role vacated by Doug Beattie was this past Friday. Beattie resigned from his senior position the previous week following disagreements with party officials.

Mr. Nesbitt successfully gathered the necessary 35 endorsements from nine different districts throughout Northern Ireland.

The individual, aged 67, presently serves as the health minister at Stormont and is set to be officially confirmed as leader during a party gathering on September 15.

He serves as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford and has a background in broadcast journalism.

He is set to make history as the first individual to head the UUP for a second term, having previously served as leader from 2012 to 2017 before resigning after a challenging outcome in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

Mr. Nesbitt expressed his desire to carry forward the progressive initiatives that were initiated by Doug Beattie.

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"I aim to present a unionist party that is somewhat more laid-back, more self-assured, and focused on inclusivity, outreach, and acceptance."

"I'm interested in a party that doesn't merely appeal to voters based on identity. We should also discuss our policies and our plans for the public."

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Mr. Beattie cited "irreconcilable differences" with party officials as the reason for his resignation, which he declared on August 19.

The member representing Upper Bann in the Assembly, who is also a distinguished Army veteran, was chosen as the leader of the UUP

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Mr. Beattie stepped down following a General Election in which the UUP achieved notable success, capturing a Westminster seat for the first time in six years.

He departed following an internal disagreement regarding the procedure to choose a successor in the Stormont Assembly for the party's newly elected MP, Robin Swann.

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Mr. Nesbitt expressed strong assurance in having the backing of "almost all, if not every" UUP elected official, though he refrained from confirming Mr. Beattie's support.

He mentioned, "It's a well-established custom in our party for the departing leader to avoid swaying the party's choice of a new leader."

This year, the DUP, the biggest unionist group, also underwent a change in leadership.

Gavin Robinson succeeded Sir Jeffrey Donaldson after the latter resigned following accusations of rape and other past abuse offenses, all of which he has denied.

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