Doug Beattie quits as UUP boss citing 'irreconcilable differences' - after first offering resignation in July

Mr Beattie quit on Monday morning, citing “irreconcilable differences between myself and Party Officers combined with the inability to influence and shape the party going forward means that I can no longer remain the Party Leader”.

While thanking party colleagues for their loyalty – he acknowledged that some “did not agree with the direction and path I set for the party and the vision I promoted”.

It is understood that despite a relatively successful general election, and no leadership challenge to Mr Beattie, he offered his resignation to party officers over the outcome of a North Antrim selection panel. Colin Crawford was selected through the party’s processes, but Mr Beattie preferred another candidate.

At the party’s AGM in April, changes to the party’s officer team made it more difficult for Doug Beattie to make the changes he wanted.

In a parting shot about the party’s future direction he said “I hope they can see that in the long term only an inclusive Ulster Unionist Party, promoting a positive message, can secure our future. I hope the new leader is given the freedom to act”.

A zoom meeting involving the party’s MLAs took place early on Monday morning, with an official statement confirming the resignation soon after. It mentions the “loyalty and support” he had received from the party’s MLA team.

However, there has been ongoing opposition to the direction Mr Beattie wanted to take the party – with swathes of the party opposing his vision for a more liberal brand of unionism, distinguishing it from the DUP and TUV.

Despite attempting to reinvigorate the party by bringing in new faces – and an attempt to get more women into elected office – the Assembly team is all male.

When Doug Beattie became leader, he said the party may have to “shrink to grow”. However, many of those within the party who opposed his attempts to take the party towards a more liberal position – particularly on social issues – have stayed within the party and continued to oppose him privately, and often publicly.

It is understood Mr Beattie will stay on in the leader’s role until a successor is selected.

There is no obvious successor to Doug Beattie. Of the party’s other eight MLAs, three have already served as leader: Mike Nesbitt, Tom Elliott and Steve Aiken.

Potential candidates include deputy leader Robbie Butler, who despite being seen as on the softer wing of the party on issues such as the Windsor Framework, is more conservative on certain social issues. For example, he is opposed to the liberalisation of abortion.

Former Tom Elliott’s name has been mentioned as a contender – from both traditionalist and reformist parts of the party. However, the Fermanagh MLA was recently appointed to the House of Lords. It is unlikely he would forfeit that to continue as an MLA, and leading the party from the Lords is seen as a non-starter.

Mike Nesbitt – who replaced Tom Elliott as leader in March 2012 – could also resume the leadership.

The now-health minister led the party until 2017, but accepted “full responsibility” for poor election results which saw a number of high profile party figures lose their seats.

He was replaced by Robin Swann, now the South Antrim MP.

Mr Swann was succeeded by Steve Aiken, who was then replaced by Doug Beattie in 2021.

In his statement, the outgoing UUP boss said: “Leading the Ulster Unionist Party has been a huge honour. I took over as the leader at the beginning of a three-year election cycle with an overall aim of addressing the party decline, enhancing party influence across these islands and returning the Ulster Unionist Party to Westminster.

“Following the recent General Election results the party has now returned to the green benches after an absence of seven years. Our share of the vote had increased slightly, and we have also elevated a member to the House of Lords. This is something we have not achieved in thirteen years; a move that demonstrates our increased influence at the highest levels of Government.

“The party will now re-establish its Parliamentary Party to help increase our influence and ensure the Ulster Unionists voice, promoting a positive, optimistic, pro-union vision, is heard.

“These are small successes on the back of a difficult electoral results with a lot of work still to do, particularly in border constituencies. Nevertheless, they are successes which requires momentum to capitalise on the opportunities they present.

“It has not been easy and at times it has been both lonely and isolating. I am no stranger to leadership and that is how it often feels in taking a toll both physically and mentally. It also strains friendships and political relationships.

“It is now clear that some believe the momentum needed to keep the Ulster Unionist Party moving in the right direction cannot come from me. Irreconcilable differences between myself and Party Officers combined with the inability to influence and shape the party going forward means that I can no longer remain the Party Leader. Therefore, I shall stand down as the Party Leader and allow the party to immediately begin the process to select a new leader who may maintain the confidence of the party and continue the momentum I have started.

“It is important to acknowledge the loyalty and support from many within the party. This includes the MLA group and many other elected and non-elected members. I must also acknowledge that some did not agree with the direction and path I set for the party and the vision I promoted. I hope they can see that in the long term only an inclusive Ulster Unionist Party, promoting a positive message, can secure our future. I hope the new leader is given the freedom to act”.