Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2010

Ulster Unionist Party leadership election

22 September 2010

Candidate Tom Elliott Basil McCrea Party UUP UUP Popular vote 643 294 Percentage 68.62% 31.37%

Leader before election Reg Empey Elected Leader Tom Elliott

An election for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was held on 22 September 2010.^[1]

Background

Following poor results in the UK general election, 2005, the UUP held a leadership election, in which Reg Empey was successful. Empey formed an electoral coalition with the Conservative Party, but the UUP's only MP resigned from the party, and the coalition won no seats in the UK general election, 2010. Following the election, some party members urged him to remain leader but, on 15 May, Empey announced that he would resign in time for an election to be completed by the party's annual conference, in October or November.^[2] On 9 August 2010, it was announced that Empey would resign on 22 September 2010 and that the election would be held the same day. Nominations are due by 31 August 2010.^[3]

Potential candidates

In May 2010, BBC News named five potential candidates for the leadership: Tom Elliott, Danny Kennedy, Basil McCrea, Michael McGimpsey and David McNarry.^[4]

Kennedy reportedly ruled himself out on 14 June 2010.^[5] Elliott announced on 22 June 2010 he would stand in the election, stating that he had a "vision for a progressive party". He was flanked by Kennedy, McNarry and McGimpsey when he announced, as well as by Mike Nesbitt and Assembly Chief Whip Fred Cobain.^[6] McCrea officially announced his intention to stand on 23 August 2010.^[7]

Policy divide

One of the most prominent issues in the leadership choice was relations with the other major unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party. While Kennedy repeatedly called for a pact or an alliance with the DUP, McCrea was strongly against it, claiming that such an alliance would only increase voter support for SF in the republican camp.^[8]

Elliott stated on 25 August 2010 that he was also opposed to a single Unionist party ^[9] and that he would seek to reform the electoral link with the Conservative Party in order that candidates would stand as UUP and not Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force.^[10]

Results

Name	Votes	% share
Tom Elliot	643	68.62
Basil McCrea	294	31.37
Total	937	100

References

1. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/sir-reg-empey-confirms-resignation-14902388.html
2. "Sir Reg Empey to stand down as UUP leader in autumn", BBC News, 15 May 2010
3. "UUP confirms Sir Reg to resign". BBC News. 9 August 2010.
4. "Who could be next UUP leader?", BBC News, 11 May 2010
5. "Danny Kennedy rules himself out of UUP leadership race". BBC News. 2010-06-14. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
6. "Elliott announces UUP leadership bid". BBC News. 2010-06-22. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
7. "Basil McCrea enters Ulster Unionist leadership contest". BBC News. 23 August 2010.
8. "'Unionist unity would increase SF vote' - Belfast Today". Newsletter.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
9. "Tom Elliott sets out his plans for UUP". BBC News. 25 August 2010.
10. http://www.newsletter.co.uk/politics/Dump-UCUNF-but-keep-the.6495812.jp