16/03/2012
Kennedy Opts Out Of UUP Leadership Race
Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, has said that he will not contest leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
He said his reasoning was that a potentially difficult and divisive leadership election was not in the interest of the party. Mr Kennedy also said he had not made any deals with the other candidates.
It was thought that Mr Kennedy would stand in the race to become the next party leader as he is currently the parties only minister.
So far Deputy Leader John McCallister and Strangford MLA, Mike Nesbitt, have put themselves forward to battle it out for the top spot.
The UUP's current leader and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Tom Elliott, announced last week that he would be standing down as leader at this month's AGM.
Candidates have until Friday to hand in their nomination papers, with the leadership election due on 31 March.
(LB/GK)
He said his reasoning was that a potentially difficult and divisive leadership election was not in the interest of the party. Mr Kennedy also said he had not made any deals with the other candidates.
It was thought that Mr Kennedy would stand in the race to become the next party leader as he is currently the parties only minister.
So far Deputy Leader John McCallister and Strangford MLA, Mike Nesbitt, have put themselves forward to battle it out for the top spot.
The UUP's current leader and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Tom Elliott, announced last week that he would be standing down as leader at this month's AGM.
Candidates have until Friday to hand in their nomination papers, with the leadership election due on 31 March.
(LB/GK)
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