Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2004
Encyclopedia
The 2004 Ulster Unionist Party
leadership election was triggered by the decision of a group of UUP members to challenge incumbent leader David Trimble
over the party's direction following the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly elections at the party's annual general meeting
on 27 March 2004. The UUP has held a leadership election every March since at least the Ulster Unionist Council constitution was altered in 1973, however it is rarely contested. This is one of the few occasions when it has been contested.
The election was decided by delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council. After one round of voting Trimble retained his leadership.
Hoey declared prior to the election that he was a Stalking horse
candidate who would stand aside in favour of others should he win the contest. Oliver insisted that should he win he would serve as leader despite holding no elected office.
It was believed that Trimble would easily win, but would have to stand down should both challengers poll more than 50% of votes cast combined.
David Trimble was re-elected.
In addition the party Presidency was subject to re-election. The incumbent, the Rev. Martin Smyth
MP, a constant critic of Trimble, lost the post to Lord Rogan
by 407 to 329 votes.
Following the election neither defeated candidate immediately left the party. Hoey contested the party selection convention for the nomination to fight the East Londonderry
seat in the 2005 UK General Election
but was defeated by MLA
, David McClarty
. He also unsuccessfully stood to be a party officer at the 2006 AGM of the UUC. Hoey left the party sometime in 2006, and contested the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007
for Robert McCartney
's UK Unionist Party
(UKUP) in South Belfast. Oliver unsuccessfully stood for election to Craigavon Borough Council
in 2005 as a UUP candidate, and considered also standing for the Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2010
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
leadership election was triggered by the decision of a group of UUP members to challenge incumbent leader David Trimble
David Trimble
William David Trimble, Baron Trimble, PC , is a politician from Northern Ireland. He served as Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party , was the first First Minister of Northern Ireland , and was a Member of the British Parliament . He is currently a life peer for the Conservative Party...
over the party's direction following the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly elections at the party's annual general meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
on 27 March 2004. The UUP has held a leadership election every March since at least the Ulster Unionist Council constitution was altered in 1973, however it is rarely contested. This is one of the few occasions when it has been contested.
The election was decided by delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council. After one round of voting Trimble retained his leadership.
Candidates
- David Hoey, management consultant from ColeraineColeraineColeraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
- Robert OliverRobert OliverRobert Gordon Oliver is a former road and track cyclist from New Zealand, who represented his native country in two disciplines at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany: the men's individual road race and the men's team pursuit .-References:*...
, businessman from PortadownPortadownPortadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
and Treasurer of Trimble's Constituency Party - David TrimbleDavid TrimbleWilliam David Trimble, Baron Trimble, PC , is a politician from Northern Ireland. He served as Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party , was the first First Minister of Northern Ireland , and was a Member of the British Parliament . He is currently a life peer for the Conservative Party...
, MP for Upper BannUpper Bann (UK Parliament constituency)Upper Bann is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons. The current Member of Parliament for Upper Bann is David Simpson.-Boundaries:...
and sitting leader
Hoey declared prior to the election that he was a Stalking horse
Stalking horse
A stalking horse is a person who tests a concept with someone or mounts a challenge against them on behalf of an anonymous third party. If the idea proves viable and/or popular, the anonymous figure can then declare their interest and advance the concept with little risk of failure...
candidate who would stand aside in favour of others should he win the contest. Oliver insisted that should he win he would serve as leader despite holding no elected office.
It was believed that Trimble would easily win, but would have to stand down should both challengers poll more than 50% of votes cast combined.
Results
Votes were cast as follows- David TrimbleDavid TrimbleWilliam David Trimble, Baron Trimble, PC , is a politician from Northern Ireland. He served as Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party , was the first First Minister of Northern Ireland , and was a Member of the British Parliament . He is currently a life peer for the Conservative Party...
- 448 - David Hoey - 162
- Robert Oliver - 132
David Trimble was re-elected.
In addition the party Presidency was subject to re-election. The incumbent, the Rev. Martin Smyth
Martin Smyth
Reverend William Martin Smyth is a Northern Irish unionist politician, and was Ulster Unionist Party Member of Parliament for Belfast South from 1982-2005...
MP, a constant critic of Trimble, lost the post to Lord Rogan
Dennis Rogan, Baron Rogan of Lower Iveagh
Dennis Robert David Rogan, Baron Rogan is a Ulster Unionist Party politician in Northern Ireland who served as President of the party from 2004 until 2006...
by 407 to 329 votes.
Following the election neither defeated candidate immediately left the party. Hoey contested the party selection convention for the nomination to fight the East Londonderry
East Londonderry (UK Parliament constituency)
East Londonderry is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons.-Boundaries:The seat was created in boundary changes in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from the old Londonderry constituency...
seat in the 2005 UK General Election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
but was defeated by MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
, David McClarty
David McClarty
Councillor David McClarty, MLA is an Independent Unionist politician from Northern Ireland.He is from Coleraine and was educated at Coleraine Academical Institution and Magee College...
. He also unsuccessfully stood to be a party officer at the 2006 AGM of the UUC. Hoey left the party sometime in 2006, and contested the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007
Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007
The third elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly were held on 7 March 2007 when 108 new members were elected. The election saw endorsement of the St Andrews Agreement and the two largest parties, the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin, along with the Alliance Party, increase their...
for Robert McCartney
Robert McCartney (politician)
Robert Law McCartney QC is a Northern Ireland barrister and former leader of the UK Unionist Party.He was initially a member of the Ulster Unionist Party but was expelled in June 1987 when he refused to withdraw from the general election of that year...
's UK Unionist Party
UK Unionist Party
The UK Unionist Party was a small unionist political party operating in Northern Ireland from 1995 to 2008. It was nominally formed by Robert McCartney, formerly of the Ulster Unionist Party, to contest a by-election the North Down by-election, 1995 and then further constituted to contest the 1996...
(UKUP) in South Belfast. Oliver unsuccessfully stood for election to Craigavon Borough Council
Craigavon Borough Council
Craigavon Borough Council is a local council in counties Armagh, Down and Antrim, in Northern Ireland. The headquarters of the council is in Craigavon, on the shores of Lough Neagh, a new town built between Lurgan and Portadown. The council area includes the large towns of Lurgan and Portadown, as...
in 2005 as a UUP candidate, and considered also standing for the Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2010
Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2010
An election for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party was held on 22 September 2010.-Background:Following poor results in the UK general election, 2005, the UUP held a leadership election, in which Reg Empey was successful...