Nominations open for the role of Alliance deputy leader

Nominations have opened to find the next deputy leader of the Alliance Party.

Stephen Farry announced his resignation from the role at the weekend.

It came after he was unsuccessful in his bid to be re-elected as MP for North Down at the general election earlier this year.

It is understood that Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and some of the party’s MLAs may be among those in the running for the role.

Mr Farry had been deputy leader of Alliance since 2016.

He announced his resignation from the role to delegates at the Alliance Party Council meeting last Saturday.

The Alliance Party Executive met on Thursday to set a timescale for the election of the next deputy leader.

It announced on Friday that the nomination process has been opened, and will remain open for nominations until September 26.

A special meeting of delegates is to take place on October 10 to select the successful candidate to work alongside Alliance leader Naomi Long.

Any serving MLA or MP can be nominated for the role.

Mr Farry will remain as deputy until his replacement takes up the role.

He previously said it had been a privilege to serve in the role, and that he is now considering his next steps after having served as a councillor, MLA, Stormont minister and an MP.

“Since the general election in July, I have had many positive conversations regarding how I can make a significant contribution to society,” he said.

“I am currently considering several opportunities in this regard.

“Public service remains very important to me, and I will strive to make a difference through a variety of mechanisms to address the significant challenges facing society, both domestically and internationally.”