2010 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election

none April 2022 2010 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election presidential 2005 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election 2005 2012 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election 2012 22 September 2010 150x150px Tom Elliott Ulster Unionist Party 643 68.6% 150x150px Basil McCrea Ulster Unionist Party 294 31.4% Leader Reg Empey Tom Elliott An election for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was held on 22 September 2010.https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sir-reg-empey-confirms-resignation-28551746.html Sir Reg Empey confirms resignation 9 August 2010 Belfast Telegraph Belfast live https://web.archive.org/web/20210511015646/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sir-reg-empey-confirms-resignation-28551746.html 11 May 2021 Background Following poor results in the 2005 general election, 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 2010 general election. 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."Sir Reg Empey to stand down as UUP leader in autumn", BBC News, 15 May 2010 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.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-10913567 BBC News UUP confirms Sir Reg to resign 9 August 2010 20 June 2018 14 April 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210414031342/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-10913567 live 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."Who could be next UUP leader?", BBC News, 11 May 2010 Kennedy reportedly ruled himself out on 14 June 2010.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10315030 Danny Kennedy rules himself out of UUP leadership race BBC News 2010-06-14 2010-07-27 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.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10378239 Elliott announces UUP leadership bid BBC News 2010-06-22 2010-07-27 2010-06-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20100626095611/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/northern_ireland_politics/10378239.stm live McCrea officially announced his intention to stand on 23 August 2010.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11053798 BBC News Basil McCrea enters Ulster Unionist leadership contest 23 August 2010 20 June 2018 9 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034522/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11053798 live 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.http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/39Unionist-unity-would-increase-SF.6391058.jp 'Unionist unity would increase SF vote' - Belfast Today Newsletter.co.uk 2010-07-27 2010-08-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20100803235855/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/39Unionist-unity-would-increase-SF.6391058.jp live Elliott stated on 25 August 2010 that he was also opposed to a single Unionist party https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-11085966 BBC News Tom Elliott sets out his plans for UUP 25 August 2010 20 June 2018 26 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100826043809/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-11085966 live 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.McBride Sam Dump UCUNF but keep the link with Tories, says Elliott Tom Elliott launches his bid for the leadership of the UUP Tom Elliott launches his bid for the leadership of the UUP http://www.newsletter.co.uk/politics/Dump-UCUNF-but-keep-the.6495812.jp dead 3 June 2021 The News Letter 26 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110101124921/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/politics/dump-ucunf-but-keep-the.6495812.jp 1 January 2011 Belfast Results CandidateTotalVotes % Tom Elliot 64368.6 48A5EE 68.6 Basil McCrea 29431.4 48A5EE 31.4 Total937 100 References collapsed 2010 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election Ulster Unionist Party leadership election Category:2010 political party leadership elections in the United Kingdom