Elliott makes UUP leadership bid
TOM Elliott has announced his intention to stand for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Making the announcement in the Great Hall at Stormont on Tuesday, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said it was time for the UUP to "regroup and reassess".
Mr Elliott is the first UUP member to officially declare an interest in standing for the leadership since current party leader Sir Reg Empey announced his intention to resign.
Mr Empey will step aside at the party's annual conference in the autumn.
Mr Elliott said: "While I am proud of the Ulster Unionist Party's long history and recognise that it was our determination that has brought Northern Ireland to this stage, I am also crucially aware that unionism has changed dramatically over the last two decades - the UUP needs to reflect that change.
"It is important that we set out a vision, not only for the coming weeks and months but also for years ahead. As Unionists we must ensure that the Union of the United Kingdom is central to that future."
The UUP man said he wanted his brand of unionism to appeal across Northern Ireland.
"The reality is, unionists are not coming out to vote - through disillusionment, because of tribal politics or because they simply feel that politics is not relevant to them. I want to create an Ulster Unionist Party that can address these issues."
Current UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy signalled last week that he would not be interested in taking up the role.
The party failed to win a single seat at last month's general election.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
