2005 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election

none September 2020 August 2012 2005 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election presidential 2004 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election 2004 2010 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election 2010 24 June 2005 First Round Percentage Second Round Percentage 150x150px Sir Reg Empey Ulster Unionist Party 295 48.0% 321 52.8% 150x150px Alan McFarland Ulster Unionist Party 266 43.3% 287 47.2% 100x150px David McNarry Ulster Unionist Party 54 8.8% Eliminated Eliminated Leader David Trimble Reg Empey The 2005 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election began on 7 May 2005 when David Trimble resigned as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party following his party's poor performance in the 2005 general election when it lost all but one of its seats, including Trimble's own. Following his resignation, the UUP's executive committee charged Sir Reg Empey, Lady Hermon and Lord Rogan with the interim leadership of the Party. This was the first occasion when the UUP leadership was contested under the Party's new constitution. Therefore, this was the first occasion where the candidates were not proposed and seconded from the floor of the meeting, but in writing one week before the meeting. Trimble's successor was elected by delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council who met on 24 June 2005. After two rounds of voting the election was won by Sir Reg Empey. Candidates Nominations for the leadership closed on 17 June. Standing Sir Reg Empey Alan McFarland David McNarry Declined to run The following prominent Ulster Unionist Party politicians were speculated upon by media organisations but declined to run: David Burnside, an MP until 2005 Sylvia Hermon, UUP's only MP after the general election. Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, an MP until 2001. Lord Kilclooney, an MP until 2001, and a former minister in the Government of Northern Ireland Outsiders Some in the party called for a figure from outside the party to become the next leader; however those named declined. They included: Colonel Tim Collins Robert McCartney Collins was named by Lord Kilclooney as his preferred candidate on his announcement that he would not run. McCartney announced that he would seek to rejoin the party he left in the 1980s intending to become leader should a majority or a significant number of delegates spoil their ballots. Less than 5 delegates spoilt their ballots in the event. Timeline of events 6 May 2005 - In the general election David Trimble loses his constituency of Upper Bann, prompting speculation that he will step down as leader.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/northern_ireland/4495273.stm UK | UK Politics | Northern Ireland | Trimble is beaten in Upper Bann BBC News 6 May 2005 2010-04-30 17 May 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050517184138/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/northern_ireland/4495273.stm live 7 May 2005 - Trimble declares he is resigning.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/northern_ireland/4525407.stm UK | UK Politics | Northern Ireland | Trimble quits after poll defeat BBC News 7 May 2005 2010-04-30 17 May 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050517184123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/northern_ireland/4525407.stm live 8 May 2005 - The party's sole MP, Sylvia Hermon, is reported to be considering standing for the leadership, but states she also has strong family commitments.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4527559.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Hermon considers UUP leadership BBC News 8 May 2005 2010-04-30 24 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210924130244/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4527559.stm live 11 May 2005 - Hermon states she wishes to see the UUP move in a "more liberal direction", away from the rival Democratic Unionist Party.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4538319.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Hermon 'wants a more liberal UUP' BBC News 11 May 2005 2010-04-30 21 December 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20051221151723/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4538319.stm live 14 May 2005 - A meeting of the UUP Executive calls a special meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council for 24 June. In the interim it places the running of the party in the joint hands of Party President Lord Rogan, MLA Sir Reg Empey and the party's sole MP Sylvia Hermon.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4545187.stm UK | Northern Ireland | UUP leader to be elected in June BBC News 14 May 2005 2010-04-30 24 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210924130402/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4545187.stm live 14 May 2005 - David Burnside gives an interview in which he suggests a Hermon leadership would be a disaster, taking the party down "some sort of softy, wishy-washy, liberal sort of route." He declines to run and endorses Lord Kilclooney as an interim leader. 17 May 2005 - Hermon declares she will not be a candidate due to family commitments.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4557047.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Hermon out of UUP leadership race BBC News 17 May 2005 2010-04-30 24 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210924130245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4557047.stm live 7 June 2005 - David McNarry becomes the first candidate to publicly enter the race. He declares he wants "to take the party out of denial."http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4069998.stm UK | Northern Ireland | McNarry joins UUP leadership race BBC News 7 June 2005 2010-04-30 13 September 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050913172519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4069998.stm live 8 June 2005 - Lord Kilclooney issues a statement that he would be prepared to back a leader from outside the party who could bring the "radical new approach the party leads" and declines to run himself. He suggests Colonel Tim Collins would be a good choice, but the latter declines, stating he has "no experience of politics."http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4072956.stm UK | Northern Ireland | UUP peer hints at outsider leader BBC News 8 June 2005 2010-04-30 24 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210924130245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4072956.stm live 9 June 2005 - Sir Reg Empey formally launches a bid for the leadership, with the backing of more than half the party's MLAs and its sole MEP Jim Nicholson. He pledges to end "the days of heavy-handedness" and listen to grassroots supporters.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4078932.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Empey launches UUP leadership bid BBC News 9 June 2005 2010-04-30 13 September 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050913172513/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4078932.stm live 13 June 2005 - Alan McFarland announces his intention to stand, declaring that he is leading "a grass roots rebellion". He pledges to rebuild the party structure, impose a sense of self-discipline and refocus it upon the issues that matter to ordinary voters. Amongst those present at his launch are the party's sole MP, Sylvia Hermon.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4085738.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Ex-major in UUP leadership race BBC News 13 June 2005 2010-04-30 13 September 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050913172507/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4085738.stm live 13 June 2005 - It is reported that members of the UUP are asking Robert McCartney to put his name forward, despite no longer being a member of the party. McCartney rejects rejoining the party prior to the leadership election.http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=61387&pt=n UTV News U.tv 2010-04-30 5 November 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20051105141625/http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=61387&pt=n live 15 June 2005 - Lord Maginnis declares that he will not seek the leadership.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4097270.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Peer will not seek UUP leadership BBC News 15 June 2005 2010-04-30 24 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210924130252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4097270.stm live 17 June 2005 - Nominations close. Empey, McFarland and McNarry are all nominated.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4105106.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Trio bidding for UUP leadership BBC News 17 June 2005 2010-04-30 24 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210924130246/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4105106.stm live 24 June 2005 - The Ulster Unionist Council meets. Results At the meeting delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council voted in a succession of ballots until one candidate had an absolute majority. In the first round, No candidate achieved a majority and David McNarry, as the lowest placed candidate, was eliminated.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4124728.stm UK | Northern Ireland | UUP contest goes to second count BBC News 24 June 2005 2010-04-30 2 July 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050702134000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4124728.stm live Within the second round, Sir Reg Empey was elected.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4620103.stm UK | Northern Ireland | Empey new Ulster Unionist leader BBC News 24 June 2005 2010-04-30 2 July 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20050702143134/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4620103.stm live CandidateTotalRound 1Round 2Votes %Votes % Sir Reg Empey 29548.0 48A5EE 48.032152.8 48A5EE52.8 Alan McFarland 26643.3 48A5EE 43.3 28747.2 48A5EE47.2David McNarry 548.8 48A5EE8.8Total615100608100 References Category:Ulster Unionist Party leadership elections Ulster Unionist Party leadership election Ulster Unionist Party leadership election Ulster Unionist Party leadership election Category:2005 political party leadership elections in the United Kingdom