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The June 2021 Democratic Unionist Party leadership election was triggered by Edwin Poots' resignation from the leadership of the party on 17 June 2021.
Poots released a statement on 17 June 2021 announcing his intention to resign as party leader and that he had requested a new leadership contest, and that he would remain in post until a successor was appointed. Party chair Maurice Morrow later announced that the leadership election would take place on 26 June 2021.
After nominations closed on 22 June, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was declared the new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after becoming the sole candidate, and therefore no ballot was held. On 30 June, the party's executive body ratified Donaldson as leader.
Background
After agreeing to a deal that resolved the stalemate over the Irish Language Act, Poots stood down as leader on 17 June after a meeting where a majority of DUP MLAs and MPs voted against the party nominating Paul Givan to be First Minister.
On 18 June 2021, a senior DUP source told The Irish Times that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was expected to be the only candidate, as there was "no appetite for another potentially damaging leadership election."
Candidates
Declared
| Candidate | Born | Political office | Announced | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jeffrey Donaldson |
7 December 1962 Kilkeel, Northern Ireland |
Leader in the House of Commons (since 2019) MP for Lagan Valley (since 1997) |
21 June 2021 |
Results
The election was scheduled to be held on 26 June 2021, however after nominations closed on 22 June at 12:00 BST, party chair Maurice Morrow revealed that Jeffrey Donaldson was the only candidate nominated. Following a meeting of the party's MPs and MLAs to confirm the result (with the backing of 32 out of 36 votes), the appointment of Donaldson as leader was ratified by the party executive on 26 June.
| June 2021 Democratic Unionist Party leadership election | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Nominated by | |
| Jeffrey Donaldson | Self-nominated | |
References
- "DUP leader Edwin Poots resigns amid internal party revolt". BBC News. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- Carroll, Rory (17 June 2021). "Edwin Poots resigns as DUP leader after 21 days in post". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- Kearney, Vincent (19 June 2021). "Donaldson the frontrunner as DUP leadership nominations open". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- Andrews, Chris (22 June 2021). "DUP leadership: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is only candidate". BBC News. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- McCambridge, Jonathan (22 June 2021). "Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to become next leader of the DUP". Belfast Telegraph. Press Association. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "DUP leadership: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson ratified as party leader". BBC News. 30 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- Hewitt, Ralph (17 June 2021). "Edwin Poots to step down as DUP leader just three weeks after taking the role". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- Kelpie, Colm; Colhoun, Ciara (17 June 2021). "DUP revolt over first minister confirmation". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- McClements, Freya (18 June 2021). "Jeffrey Donaldson expected to become new DUP leader in 'coronation'". The Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- "DUP: Paul Givan told he must resign as first minister". BBC News. 19 June 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- Preston, Allan (19 June 2021). "DUP to elect new leader on June 26". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- Hogan, Laura (22 June 2021). "Jeffrey Donaldson declared new DUP leader". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "DUP: Party college endorses Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leadership". BBC News. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- McClements, Freya (22 June 2021). "Incoming DUP leader Donaldson to seek early meeting with Johnson". The Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
| 2021 United Kingdom party leadership elections | ||
|---|---|---|
| January: Welsh Conservatives
February: Scottish Labour May: DUP June: DUP July: Scottish Liberal Democrats September: Green |  | |