The 2024 Alliance Party of Northern Ireland deputy leadership election was triggered on 8 September 2024 by the resignation of Stephen Farry as deputy leader of the Alliance Party. Farry, who lost his seat in North Down to Alex Easton in the most recent general election back in July, had been in the role in the party since 2016.[1]
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In a statement, Farry thanked the party membership for “putting their trust” in him during his tenure.[2]
Background
editFollowing the resignation of David Ford as Alliance leader on 5 October 2016, Farry was named by The Irish Times as a potential leadership contender alongside Naomi Long.[3] However, he did not stand as a leadership candidate and was later elected unopposed as Deputy Leader of the party.[4][5]
Farry lost his seat in the 2024 United Kingdom general election. It was reported that he would not take the seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly vacated by Sorcha Eastwood.[6]
The former North Down MP announced his resignation to delegates at the Alliance Party council meeting on 7 September 2024, but only made it public the day after. He said he announced his resignation at the party council as he wanted to "take the opportunity to personally thank the party membership for putting their trust in me as deputy leader from 2016 onwards, and for their ongoing support for me during my 30 years in elected politics".[7]
Procedure
editA meeting of the Alliance Party Executive was held on 12 September to set out the arrangements for the election of the party's new deputy leader. Any Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of Parliament (MP) can be nominated. Farry will remain in his post as acting deputy leader until a replacement is confirmed.[8][9]
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13 September | Nominations opened. |
| 26 September | Nominations will close. |
| 10 October | A special meeting of delegates will take place where the new deputy leader will be declared. |
Candidates
editPotential
edit- Sorcha Eastwood, MP for Lagan Valley (since 2024)
- Kate Nicholl, MLA for Belfast South (since 2022)
- Nuala McAllister, MLA for Belfast North (since 2022)
- Eóin Tennyson, MLA for Upper Bann (since 2022)[11]
References
edit- ^ "Stephen Farry announces resignation as Alliance deputy leader". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2024-09-08. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Stephen Farry steps down as Alliance Party deputy leader - Northern Ireland Elects". nielects.com. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ Moriarty, Gerry. "David Ford to step down as leader of North's Alliance Party". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ^ "Naomi Long becomes new Alliance leader". BBC News. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- ^ "Farry is new deputy leader of Alliance". BBC News. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- ^ "Alliance: Stephen Farry 'will not take' Sorcha Eastwood's seat". BBC News. 2024-07-07. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ "Stephen Farry resigns as Alliance deputy leader". BBC News. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Stephen Farry announces resignation as Alliance deputy leader". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2024-09-08. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Stephen Farry steps down as Alliance Party deputy leader - Northern Ireland Elects". nielects.com. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "New Alliance Party deputy leader to be selected in October". BBC News. 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ^ "Alliance Party's ruling executive set to decide deputy leadership contest timeline". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2024-09-12. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-09-12.