By Aoife Moore
The next leader of the Ulster Unionist Party will be Steve Aiken, the party has confirmed.
The nominations for the position of leader closed on Wednesday at 4pm.
The party said just one nomination was received, for Dr Steve Aiken MLA, who will now go forward to the party EGM unopposed on November 9 for ratification.
The 57-year-old former Royal Navy commander has been the MLA for South Antrim since 2016 and has long been the subject of speculation that he would replace outgoing leader Robin Swann, who after two years in the role said he was leaving to devote more time to his family.
Mr Swann's decision to stand down came after two disappointing electoral performances for the UUP in May.
The party lost the European parliamentary seat it had held for 40 years, trailing in sixth in the May election.
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