Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SINKING FEELING FOR SUB SKIPPER STEVE..
Aiken’s resignation leaves UUP rudderless
To achieve our goals, more than ever unionism needs positive leadership STEVE AIKEN OUTGOING ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER
POLITICAL unionism has been thrown into further flux after Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken announced his resignation.
It comes 10 days after DUP leader Arlene Foster was forced to quit.
The move from the South Antrim MLA was also prompted by mounting discontent over his stewardship.
Unionists and loyalists have been significantly unsettled by the Irish Sea border and their political representatives acknowledge the election could be pivotal for the pro-union cause.
And if the political turmoil ends up destablising the powersharing administration in Belfast, the election could come sooner than scheduled.
Mr Aiken, a former submarine captain, was elected UUP leader unopposed in 2019.
Many are tipping Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie as a likely successor.
In a letter to party chairman Danny Kennedy, Mr Aiken wrote: “To achieve our goals, we need new leadership.”
He said his party colleague and Health Minister Robin Swann had been successful in his efforts to tackle the pandemic.
“However, despite our successes, it has become clear to me that if we are to achieve the breakthrough in the forthcoming Assembly elections, we will need to drive further ahead,” Mr Aiken wrote to the party chairman.
“To represent the brand of unionism that builds on hope and not fear, and provides a clear, modern, alternative that will be both the future of our party and Northern Ireland, will require strong leadership.”
“The last few months have been a momentous time for our Union and for Northern Ireland.
“It is also a time when unionism, more than ever, needs positive, hopeful and progressive leadership; leadership which I strongly believe only the Ulster Unionist Party can provide.
“Our party has delivered for the people of Northern Ireland for many years and in the centenary of Northern Ireland continues to do what is right - not just for unionists, but for everyone.”
In a written reply to Mr Aiken, party chairman Mr Kennedy said he “regretfully” acknowledged his decision.
“On behalf of the officers and the entire party I want to express my deep appreciation for the service you have rendered as leader and pay tribute to your unstinting efforts to promote our raison d’etre - the maintenance and preservation of Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom,” he wrote.
Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie, tipped as a possible successor to Mr Aiken, paid tribute his colleague.
He said: “The loneliness of leadership is never easy
“As my party leader, my colleague and my friend I want to thank Steve for his for service past, present and in the future.”
Mr Swann tweeted: “I want to thank @Steveaikenuup for his leadership, it is oft time both a rewarding and challenging position to hold.
“But most of all I thank him for his support and the trust he placed in me when he nominated me as Health Minister.”
One source within the UUP said: “Politics can be brutal but there’s no call for the sort of approach we’ve witnessed in recent days from the DUP. That’s not who we are.
“We stand are about decency, openness and honesty even when they’re tough to handle and this situation is being handled in very human terms, with respect and dignity.
“With us looking to next year’s Assembly election, we all agree there’s a great deal of work to do. No doubt Steve will be a part of that and of the party as we move forward with an absolute focus on a modern day Northern Ireland.
“Any talk about a new leader is for later in the day but although transition will be timely, Steve Aiken who has served his party and his country, will be given the time, space and respect he’s due.”
Mr Aiken will remain in post until a successor is appointed and has confirmed he will not be retiring from politics.
While potential successors are expected to emerge in the coming days, Mr Beattie is already seen as the front runner.
The 55-year-old army veteran, who was awarded the Military Cross, was a serious leadership contender back in 2019 when the last vacancy arose but he chose not to stand.
Viewed as an engaging media performer, he is seen as a moderate progressive capable of helping the party reclaim some of the ground that has been lost to the Alliance Party in recent elections.
Known for his compassion and rallying speeches and his unionist credentials are rock solid.
Another possible contender could be former fireman Robbie Butler, 49, who sits on the Education Committee. The UUP’S chief whip, he was elected to the Assembly five years ago for Lagan Valley constituency. Both men are known for their passion for improving mental health in Northern Ireland. And a third possible contender is East Antrim MLA John Stewart who was elected for East Antrim in 2017. An author and a Reserve Army soldier with the North Irish Horse unit of the Territorial Army, he is the party’s spokesman on the Economy.
One party source said: “Moderate unionism needs a strong recovery strategy. If Doug can lead men and women into battle, he can lead a willing party into the better future. “Most within the UUP party and middle ground Unionism in general have him at the top of their wish list.”