{"id":46492,"date":"2026-01-02T13:08:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/?p=46492"},"modified":"2026-01-02T13:08:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:08:40","slug":"cy05g33ww12oat_mediumrssat_campaignrss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/2026\/01\/02\/cy05g33ww12oat_mediumrssat_campaignrss\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Nesbitt to stand down as leader"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<div data-testid=\"byline\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-0 bWRWzH\"><span data-testid=\"byline-contributors\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-11 cOQNNv\"><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"byline-contributors-contributor-0\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-5 gXJgDY\">\n<p><span class=\"sc-573fa0e8-7 gqeTMs\">Gareth Gordon<\/span><span data-testid=\"byline-contributors-contributor-0-role-location\" class=\"sc-573fa0e8-8 bIfajQ\">BBC News NI political correspondent<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gtLOOD\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/00e9\/live\/3f681b10-e7cb-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/00e9\/live\/3f681b10-e7cb-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mike-Nesbitt-to-stand-down-as-leader.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/00e9\/live\/3f681b10-e7cb-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/00e9\/live\/3f681b10-e7cb-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/00e9\/live\/3f681b10-e7cb-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/00e9\/live\/3f681b10-e7cb-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mike-Nesbitt-to-stand-down-as-leader.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"PA A man is looking into the camera. He has a neutral expression. He's wearing glasses and a grey suit with a blue shirt and a grey tie with a maze design. He's outside. Trees in the background are out of focus. \" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><span class=\"sc-5340b511-2 jVqbAn\">PA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Mike Nesbitt has been UUP leader since August 2024, but it was his second stint in the role<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Mike Nesbitt is to stand down as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">He informed MLAs and party officers on Friday morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">It is understood he wants to remain as health minister until the next assembly elections in May 2027 but that decision will be down to his successor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">He said several months ago that he would decide by January at the latest &#8220;in fairness to whoever might be coming in&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-f98b1ad2-0 gXmhTb\">Analysis: What chance does a new leader have?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/b066\/live\/167805e0-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/b066\/live\/167805e0-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767359320_166_Mike-Nesbitt-to-stand-down-as-leader.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/b066\/live\/167805e0-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/b066\/live\/167805e0-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/b066\/live\/167805e0-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/b066\/live\/167805e0-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767359320_166_Mike-Nesbitt-to-stand-down-as-leader.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"BBC\/PA Two photos separated by a white line in the centre. The first photo shows a man smiling. He's wearing a navy suit with a design and a white shirt. The second man is speaking. He's wearing a navy suit with a red patterned tie and a white shirt. \" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><span class=\"sc-5340b511-2 jVqbAn\">BBC\/PA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Deputy leader Robbie Butler (left) is from the liberal wing of the party and Jon Burrows (right) has been an MLA since July when he was co-opted in<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Speculation on who might follow will now fall on two characters who could hardly contrast more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The deputy leader, Robbie Butler, is from the liberal wing of the party. He was brought into politics by Nesbitt during his first tenure as leader and studiously avoids controversy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Jon Burrows on the other hand seems to positively relish it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">The former police officer has only been an MLA since July when he was co-opted to replace Colin Crawford in north Antrim but he&#8217;s made up for lost time with frequent and often controversial statements on a wide range of issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">If both men decide to go for the job it would mean the first leadership contest in the UUP since 2012 when Nesbitt triumphed over John McCallister.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 gXrNRM\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-5340b511-1 cMIbKV\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tears-flowers-and-silence-in-Bondi-and-Streetings-fury.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 gUePlo hide-when-no-script\" aria-label=\"image unavailable\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/3db9\/live\/af14a060-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/3db9\/live\/af14a060-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 320w,https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767359320_640_Mike-Nesbitt-to-stand-down-as-leader.webp.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/3db9\/live\/af14a060-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/3db9\/live\/af14a060-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/3db9\/live\/af14a060-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/3db9\/live\/af14a060-e7ca-11f0-a951-db7efd6ff4fd.png.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767359320_640_Mike-Nesbitt-to-stand-down-as-leader.webp.webp?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"PA\/BBC\/PA Three photos separated by white lines. The man in the first photo is wearing a black suit with a white shirt and purple tie. The man in the centre is wearing glasses and a grey suit. The third man is wearing glasses and a navy suit with a white shirt and grey tie.\" class=\"sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA\"\/><span class=\"sc-5340b511-2 jVqbAn\">PA\/BBC\/PA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-536eff7b-0 gnQokQ\">Robin Swann, (left) Steve Aiken, (centre) and Doug Beattie (right) were, like Nesbitt,  all handed the leadership unopposed<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Nesbitt probably found reviving the party whilst running the health department one impossible job too many.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">He will hope the new leader acquiesces to his plea to be allowed to remain in the job until next May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Like his predecessor in the UUP hot seat Doug Beattie, he was a progressive leader.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">Robbie Butler would represent a continuation of that trend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">But Jon Burrows is much more of an unknown quantity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-3b6b161a-0 dPVOKT\">\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">In the world of the Ulster Unionist Party it is one never ending game of Follow The Leader.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-9a00e533-0 eZyhnA\">If the ever lengthening list of ex-UUP leaders couldn&#8217;t mount a comeback what chance do they have?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n#Mike #Nesbitt #stand #leader<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gareth GordonBBC News NI political correspondent PA Mike Nesbitt has been UUP leader since August 2024, but it was his&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mzansi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46492"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46492\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46494,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46492\/revisions\/46494"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}