Mike Nesbitt raises questions about his future as Ulster Unionist leader
There are growing questions about Mike Nesbitt’s position as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, after he said he would make a decision on his future by January next year.
Mr Nesbitt took over the role less than a year ago – after his predecessor Doug Beattie quit amid a dispute with party officers.
The move was widely seen as a temporary move to calm a party in turmoil, and give MLAs an opportunity to seek out a successor.
However, there has been growing disquiet in recent months about the leadership – despite some believing that the former UTV journalist would step aside in time for a successor to be picked at the party AGM in March next year.
Andy Allen quit the role of chief whip in June amid internal tensions – a role which is yet to be filled, with a number of MLAs reportedly having turned down the job of managing party discipline.
Now, Mr Nesbitt has said he will make a decision over whether he will stand at the next Assembly elections by early next year.
The Stormont health minister has said he would need to leave time for a new party leader to come in ahead of the election, if he decided not to run again.
Stormont elections are due in May 2027 – and Mr Nesbitt would be 70 by the time they are held. He told the media on Monday that he would make a decision on whether to run again by January 2026 at the latest.
He said: “Eighteen months ago I was on the back benches and, as I put it, cruising towards retirement, not expecting to become the minister of health, not expecting to become again the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party .
“That has thrown a couple of spanners in the works.
“If I am not going to stand, in fairness to the party, I think I have to make a decision early in 2026, given there are elections in May 2027”.
He added: “That is something I will look at in terms of what happens between now and Christmas, but I do think early 2026 is the latest I can leave it in fairness to whoever might be coming in if the decision is to stick to where I was 18 months ago”.
Deputy leader Robbie Butler appears to be the most likely candidate to replace Mr Nesbitt – and would have to find a new deputy to run with.