Mike Nesbitt has suggested he may only be a short term leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
The recently appointed Health Minster is to become the next party leader after he was the only declared candidate when nominations closed.
Mike Nesbitt told BBC Good Morning Ulster following a series of conversations with senior members within the party concluded he was best placed to take up reigns again.
However, he implied it would be a ‘stopgap’ leadership.
“The conclusion was not that nobody else wanted it it was that at this period of time the others thought I was best placed to take up the reigns again,” he said.
“There are obvious people who could become the next leader of the Ulster Unionist party in due course.
“There’s plenty of talent in the party in terms of leadership, so it wasn’t a question of I am the only person they can possibly put into the role.”
However, he was quick to stress he was not ‘steadying the ship for a new leader in a year or so stating: “I’m not saying not for long, I said in due course.”
The new party leader will have to balance the role with being health minister, a role he said would remain a priority.
As UUP leader, there are “many, many, things” that can be delegated to others, allowing some flexibility, unlike his role as health minister.
“This time I know exactly what I’m letting myself in for and I can hit the ground running a bit better,” he said.
“One of the things I know from the last stint is that communication, particularly internally, is one of the keys to success.
“I would reassure people I am entirely energised by and invested in the health portfolio”
The Strangford MLA and former broadcast journalist, will become the first person to lead the unionist party twice.
He was leader between 2012 and 2017 but quit following a difficult Northern Ireland Assembly election result.
