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Gareth Gordon
BBC News NI Political Correspondent

The new Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt says if Stormont collapses again “it is gone for good”.

And he warned unionists who support direct rule “to pause and reflect”.

The speech was delivered to the party conference remotely as Mr Nesbitt, who’s also the health minister, has Covid-19.

He told delegates the acid test for this Stormont mandate is the ability to cooperate

“I know there are unionists who will not support that approach," he said.

"Who would rather see devolution fail. I ask those unionists to pause and reflect.

“What if you got your way. What then? Direct rule from a London government apparently hell bent on delivering austerity plus? What additional influence would the government of Ireland exert on our affairs from Dublin?”

In conclusion Nesbitt said his vision for Northern Ireland is a prosperity agenda for all which he sees as "the surest way to protect and promote our place in the United Kingdom. If our people thrive, the Union thrives. And maybe, just maybe, the Ulster Unionist Party thrives as well."

He also believes electoral success is possible and that political success is imperative for Northern Ireland. He finished by saying "I have begun, once again! Once again, I'm dedicating us to Making Northern Ireland Work."

Nesbitt uses his speech to announce a reshuffle to his assembly frontbench. The party's newest MLA, Diana Armstrong, who will sign into the Assembly on Monday, will take over as the party's economy spokesperson. Deputy leader Robbie Butler moves to take over the agriculture & environment brief. North Antrim MLA Colin Crawford will speak for the party on education matters.

Nesbitt addresses the stability of the power-sharing institutions, which were restored in February.

"It is my firm view that if Stormont collapses again, it is gone for good. Any new agreement would require a negotiation on the scale of 1998 and frankly, I doubt if that could be done in the modern age, where social media and alternative truths are so disruptive."

Turning to his role as health minister, Nesbitt says his departmental budget allocation is both "surprising and shameful".

"It was only this party – our party – that stood up for the sick, the vulnerable and the magnificent staff who deliver healthcare. I make you one promise. No matter how difficult or challenging things get. No matter how isolated I might make myself feel, I shall not budge. I shall do what’s right for our health and social care service."

Nesbitt said it would be tempting to spend time reflecting on how the Ulster Unionist party got here "to this more peaceful Northern Ireland, and reflect on the heavy lifting of the Ulster Unionist Party" but there is no "point reflecting on the past when the people of Northern Ireland want to know about today and tomorrow, not yesterday."

He talked about this as an opportunity for the party and unionist cooperation saying "Unionist Unity already exists. Every Unionist Party, every elected representative and every unionist voter is already united in wishing Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom." He says they need to be "a Party of Common Sense and that includes sensible, practical cooperation with the Republic of Ireland."

Mike Nesbitt is a former victims' commissioner. He says the recent decision by the secretary of state to grant a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane "demonstrates how uneven is the approach to truth and justice".

"The decision once again perpetuates the idea of a hierarchy of victims. As a former Victims Commissioner, I have often challenged MPs and indeed Cabinet Ministers in these terms. Would you look two of your own constituents in the eye and tell one they could have a public inquiry into their loved one’s death, but deny it to the other? It is not fair. It is not equitable. It’s not right."

Mike Nesbitt pays tribute to his predecessor, Doug Beattie. He tells delegates that Beattie was one of the first people he wanted to attract into the party during his first spell in charge.

'Since then, I have taken great pleasure in supporting Doug - as a Councillor, MLA, Justice Spokesperson and Party Leader. Thank you, Doug. I hope we can continue to support each other and enjoy each other’s company.'

Mike Nesbitt will soon be making his speech to UUP delegates as the latest leader of the party. He'll be delivering the speech remotely as he is recovering from Covid-19. His leadership was only ratified earlier today after Doug Beattie resigned last month citing "irreconcilable differences" between him and party officers.

This of course won’t be Nesbitt’s first speech having led the party between 2012 and 2017. In his last conference back in 2016 he famously welcomed then SDLP leader Colum Eastwood to the stage, saying ‘vote Mike, you get Colum’. So what can we expect this year? His speech is due to begin at around 14:45 BST

Image source, Pacemaker

Welcome to our live coverage of Mike Nesbitt’s leader speech to the UUP party conference.