Beattie resigned following internal tensions surrounding the selection of Colin Crawford as the party's new North Antrim Assembly member.

[3] Under Beattie's leadership, the UUP returned to the House of Commons at the 2024 general election following Robin Swann's victory in South Antrim.

[4] The party selected Colin Crawford to succeed Swann as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for North Antirm in July 2024.

[12] Amid speculation over his position, Beattie released a statement on 19 August 2024 confirming his resignation:[13] It is now clear that some believe the momentum needed to keep the Ulster Unionist Party moving in the right direction cannot come from me.

They were seeking to gather 30 signatures of members of the UUP’s Executive Committee in order for a wider meeting of representatives to be called and a no confidence vote held.

[19] On 27 August 2024, the News Letter reported that Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was likely to be the only candidate for the leadership and would run on a ticket of reforming the party.

[20][21] In a statement, Butler backed Nebsitt saying he would lead a "revised and refreshed" leadership team offering "an exciting opportunity".

[24] Potential candidates for the leadership included Member of Parliament (MP) for South Antrim Robin Swann and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA.