Doug Beattie will contest the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party in Northern Ireland.
The MLA for the Upper Bann area announced his intention to stand for the leadership of the party this evening, following the decision of outgoing leader Steve Aiken to step down.
He said: "I now want to make my intentions known in that I will be standing for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party.
"I do so knowing that we, as a party and as a country, face some very real challenges today and in the future.
"It is not enough to sit back in defence of the Union, it is time to reach out to promote the Union and all its benefits. In doing so, we can make Northern Ireland a place where people want to live regardless of identity, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity", he said.
He said he wants to represent a "pro union politics that offers a modern, progressive vision for the future of the UK".
He said he wants to "build a union of people where everyone feels comfortable being who they want to be with a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose".
In declaring his intention, Mr Beattie said he was grateful for Mr Aiken's leadership and friendship.
"I am glad that he will remain both an MLA and active member of the Ulster Unionist Party", he added.
