UUP's Robin Swann To Step Down As Leader

The Ulster Unionist Party's Robin Swann has announced that he will not be standing for re-election as party leader.

The north Antrim MLA came to the decision after reflecting on the demands of the role and its impact on his young family.

"I have concluded that one is taking up the lion's share of my time to the detriment of the other," he explained. "It is unfair to my young family to allow this to continue."

After over two years of leadership, Mr Swann informed the party chair Lord Empey that the will not be submitting his name for re-election when the time comes at the Annual General Meeting next Spring.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the Ulster Unionist Party and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to do so," the 48-year-old commented.

"The Ulster Unionist Party faces its challenges, but I am determined in my remaining time as leader to bring forward the changes required to make it a competitive electoral force once again. I believe that it is more important than ever for the Ulster Unionist Party to fight back to help secure and strengthen support for the Union."

Mr Swann said he remains committed to representing his local area in the Assembly: "I will continue to serve the party loyally and faithfully as our Assembly Member in North Antrim, an area which has been devastated by recent job losses. There is a huge amount of work to be done as an elected member.

"I want to thank party members for their support over the last number of years. I also want to thank my wife Jenny and my children, Freya and Evan, for all the love and support they have given me, and without whom it would not have been possible to do the job I do."



(JG/CM)