Steve Aiken resigns as Ulster Unionist leader

Pacemaker

Steve Aiken has announced his resignation as leader of the Ulster Unionist party.

The South Antrim assembly member has been in charge of the party since November 2019.

However, it is understood frustration with his leadership has been growing across all levels of the party.

Several sources told the BBC there was a "widespread view" that change was needed ahead of next year's assembly election.

It is understood discussions have been taking place for a number of months about concerns over the party's recent performance.

One Ulster Unionist source said it was not about a fight for the direction of the party but its entire "existence".

'Breakthrough'

In his letter of resignation, Mr Aiken said he had taken the party as far as he could.

"Despite our successes, it has become clear to me that if we are to achieve the breakthrough in the forthcoming assembly elections, we will need to drive further ahead... to achieve our goals, we now need new leadership," he said.

Pacemaker

He will remain in post until a successor is appointed and he will not be retiring from politics.

UUP chairman Danny Kennedy said he had no doubt Mr Aiken would be central to the party's attempts to restore its political fortunes.

He said Mr Aiken had always "sought to lead from the front" and had made many achievements in his time as leader.

"I have witnessed at close quarters your dedication to duty and the dignity you have displayed at all times as party leader, even in challenging circumstances," he said.

Doug Beattie, UUP assembly member for Upper Bann, said the "loneliness of leadership is never easy".

"As my party leader, my colleague and my friend I want to thank Steve for his for service past, present and in the future," he tweeted.

'Time for analysis'

Mr Aiken's resignation represents the ousting of a second unionist leader in as many weeks - Arlene Foster resigned as DUP leader and first minister after an internal revolt.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the "time for analysis" after a second change in unionist leadership would come later, and wished Mr Aiken well.

"Despite our political differences, he's always respectful and courteous in any exchanges," she tweeted.

Mr Aiken became leader of the party in 2019.

He was appointed unopposed after no-one else put their name forward.

He faced criticism early on in his leadership after he initially ruled out a unionist pact in the general election, but then reversed his position and the party did not field a candidate in North Belfast, where the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) faced a strong challenge from Sinn Féin.

However, the UUP was the only main Stormont party not to win any seats in that election.

Mr Aiken has only been in frontline NI politics since 2016, having spent years before that in the Royal Navy.

The ex-submarine commander from County Antrim also worked in the business sector before joining Stormont's ranks.

From an early age he was interested in pursuing a military career, completing a degree in defence studies at King's College London before pursuing further qualifications at Cambridge.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1980, commanding a nuclear-powered submarine and also serving on nuclear-armed vessels, before retiring in 2011.

Adblock test (Why?)

May 09, 2021 at 12:42AM
By Jayne McCormack
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-57038269