16/01/2026
Nominations Close For UUP Leadership Race
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has provided an update on its leadership transition following the decision by Mike Nesbitt MLA to step down from the role.
The party confirmed that the nomination period officially concluded at 5pm on Thursday 15 January. Jon Burrows MLA is the candidate moving forward in the process, having successfully reached the required nomination threshold. To qualify, Mr Burrows secured 35 signatures representing at least nine different constituency associations.
The UUP will now enter the next phase of the transition. The Party Management Board is scheduled to meet to determine the final arrangements for leadership engagements and to prepare for an Extraordinary General Meeting. This meeting, where the new leader will be formally ratified, is set to take place on 31 January 2026.
In the interim, Mike Nesbitt MLA remains the Party Leader and will continue in the position until the ratification process is complete.
The UUP will now enter the next phase of the transition. The Party Management Board is scheduled to meet to determine the final arrangements for leadership engagements and to prepare for an Extraordinary General Meeting. This meeting, where the new leader will be formally ratified, is set to take place on 31 January 2026.
In the interim, Mike Nesbitt MLA remains the Party Leader and will continue in the position until the ratification process is complete.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 March 2012
Mike Nesbitt Contests UUP Leadership
Strangford MLA Mike Nesbitt is the latest polictican to launch his bid to become the next leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). He will join the party's Deputy Leader John McCallister in the contest for the party's top spot. It is also expected that the party's only minister Danny Kennedy will announced his interest shortly.
Mike Nesbitt Contests UUP Leadership
Strangford MLA Mike Nesbitt is the latest polictican to launch his bid to become the next leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). He will join the party's Deputy Leader John McCallister in the contest for the party's top spot. It is also expected that the party's only minister Danny Kennedy will announced his interest shortly.
27 January 2026
Jon Burrows Named Senior UUP Leadership Team
Ahead of his formal ratification as Ulster Unionist Party Leader this coming Saturday, Leader-Elect Jon Burrows MLA has revealed his senior leadership appointments for the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Jon Burrows Named Senior UUP Leadership Team
Ahead of his formal ratification as Ulster Unionist Party Leader this coming Saturday, Leader-Elect Jon Burrows MLA has revealed his senior leadership appointments for the Northern Ireland Assembly.
18 October 2001
Midnight withdrawal of UUP ministers
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
Midnight withdrawal of UUP ministers
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
13 May 2021
Robbie Butler Will Not Stand For UUP Leadership
UUP MLA Robbie Butler has confirmed he will not stand for the leadership of the party. Doug Beattie is the only contender in the running to replace current leader Steve Aiken. In a statement Mr Butler said: "Whilst I have given thought to the idea of leading the party at some stage, I did not expect to be considering it this week.
Robbie Butler Will Not Stand For UUP Leadership
UUP MLA Robbie Butler has confirmed he will not stand for the leadership of the party. Doug Beattie is the only contender in the running to replace current leader Steve Aiken. In a statement Mr Butler said: "Whilst I have given thought to the idea of leading the party at some stage, I did not expect to be considering it this week.
16 March 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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.