Poots steps forward as first candidate in DUP leadership race

Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots has become the first official contender in the battle for the leadership of the DUP.
Lagan Valley MLA Edwin PootsLagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots
Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots

On Thursday (April 29). Mr Poots declared his intention to seek the leadership of the Party following the resignation of Arlene Foster earlier this week.

Announcing his candidacy. Mr Poots thanked the outgoing leader for her service and wished her and her family well going forward.

He continued: “I am a proud Northern Ireland man, I love its people and its place and it faces many challenging times. It is with that in mind I am putting my name forward for the leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party.

“I look forward to the engagement and the debate with colleagues and the wider public in this contest.

“Northern Ireland is a place that has had many great things over this last 100 years, I wish to see us rebuild, revitalise, reinvigorate, and revive for the next 100.”

Currently Agriculture Minister, Mr Poots has been the frontrunner in the election race. Speculation also surrounds Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, however, neither have yet officially declared their intention to enter the leadership race.