A decorated British army veteran being widely tipped as the next Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader faces an existential battle to push the party as a new liberal force in the North. Amid mounting internal disquiet over his stewardship, Mr Aiken stands aside as the fifth leader to preside over the declining fortunes of unionism’s once-dominant voice since former UUP leader David Trimble stood down in 2005. Awarded a Military Cross for bravery during a career as a soldier spanning more than three decades, Mr Beattie, an MLA for Upper Bann, has yet to announce his intention to stand for leadership. Among other observers, Alex Kane, a commentator and former director of communications for the Ulster Unionist Party, says the party “really doesn’t have anyone else” to take over at a time when unionist leadership is in disarray. “The leadership of the UUP matters only if it presents a choice,” says Mr Kane.

Source: The Irish Times May 09, 2021 14:53 UTC