A former senior police officer has confirmed he plans to run as a candidate in the race to become the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
Jon Burrows announced his decision on Thursday, six days after the current leader, Mike Nesbitt, said he would step down to allow his successor prepare for next year’s Northern Ireland Assembly election.
Co-opted as an MLA for North Antrim last July, Mr Burrows said he wanted to “arrest stagnation” within the once dominant unionist party.
The former Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) area commander pledged to attract more women and younger people if elected.
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Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Diana Armstrong, announced she will be his running mate as deputy leader at a joint press conference at Stormont. Ms Armstrong was also co-opted to her Assembly seat.
Nominations for the roles opened on Wednesday and will close on January 15th.
The leader and deputy leader will be elected at an extraordinary general meeting on January 31st, with Mr Nesbitt remaining in post until then.
Robbie Butler is the current deputy leader and has not yet ruled himself out of the leadership contest.
Mr Burrows told reporters he “absolutely” welcomed a contest.
“We describe ourselves as the most democratic party in Northern Ireland, but that doesn’t count if we always have coronations,” he said.
“Let’s have a contest, let the members decide and then unite and deliver for the people of Northern Ireland.”
He described himself as an “unapologetic unionist” and rejected criticism about running for the leadership role as an unelected MLA.
Asked if he felt he had enough experience after just 157 days in the Assembly, he said he believed there was enough internal support among party members for him to stand.
“We need to recognise talent and leadership, and public service, and energy and drive. I have shown those skills and attributes before in public service, and I’ll show them again,” he said.
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“It is absolutely legitimate that I stand, we have a Deputy First Minister who is unelected. We have ministers who form our Executive who are unelected. Those are the rules.”
The last UUP leadership contest was in 2012, when Mr Nesbitt beat John McCallister.
Once the largest unionist party, the UUP has suffered a series of humiliating election defeats and has had four party leaders in just six years.
