23/08/2010

McCrea Bids For Unionist Leadership

The NI Policing Board member and Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea is to stand for leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

He has today ended speculation and confirmed he intends to enter the race to succeed Sir Reg Empey as Ulster Unionist Party leader as he believes "he could turn around the party's fortunes by promoting a strong united message and with changes to its Assembly team".

Meanwhile, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliot has already said he will challenge for the UUP leadership.

Party members will meet on 22 September to select their new leader after it was announced in May that Sir Reg Empey will stand down as UUP leader in the autumn, following the party's disastrous failure to win any seats at the general election, including his own unsuccessful attempt to capture the South Antrim Westminster seat from the DUP.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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