2017 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election

An election for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was held on 8 April 2017 at the party's Annual General Meeting.[1] Elections are held every year, with the incumbent usually reelected unopposed. The 2017 contested election was triggered after incumbent Leader Mike Nesbitt, elected in 2012, announced his intention to step down as the party leader following the 2017 Assembly election. [2] While initially, Robin Swann and Steve Aiken were expected to run against each other (with candidacies by Doug Beattie, Robbie Butler and Roy Beggs Jr. also considered possible),[1] in the end only Swann ran for the position and was elected unopposed.[3]

2017 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election
← 2012 8 April 2017 2019 →
 
Candidate Robin Swann
Party UUP
Popular vote Unopposed
Percentage 100%

Leader before election

Mike Nesbitt

Elected Leader

Robin Swann

References

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  1. ^ a b "NI Election: Swann and Aiken front runners in quest to be the new leader of Ulster Unionists". Belfast Telegraph. 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Mike Nesbitt steps down as UUP leader". BBC News. 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Ulster Unionist Party confirm Robin Swann as new leader". BBC News. 8 April 2017. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.