Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Robbie Butler has confirmed that he will not stand to be the next leader of the party. His decision appears to leave a clear run for North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, the only declared candidate so far.
Mr Butler said he had received support to stand, but it became “apparent to me and my team that the direction many within the party now wish to pursue would be under a different leadership style”. He added that he would now engage “to better understand the direction and focus of any new leadership team”.
Current leader Mike Nesbitt announced earlier this month his intention to step down to allow someone new to lead the UUP into the next Northern Ireland Assembly elections, expected next year. Mr Nesbitt will remain in charge until an extraordinary general meeting on January 31.
Mr Burrows, a former senior police officer, announced his candidacy alongside Diana Armstrong, who is standing for deputy leader. There had been speculation that Mr Butler, the current deputy leader, would join the race, but a statement released on Thursday confirmed he would not.
Mr Butler said Northern Ireland needs a “confident, positive, modern unionism with a strong social conscience” and that unionism must “look beyond its traditional base”. He reiterated his commitment to “country first, party second”.
