Unionists to vote on Trimble future

Ulster Unionists were preparing today to vote on whether David Trimble should remain as their leader.

As 800 delegates of the Ulster Unionist Council travelled to Belfast for the vote, Mr Trimble’s supporters were confident he would comfortably defeat his two challengers, Portadown businessman Robert Oliver and Coleraine marketing and management consultant David Hoey.

Under party rules the leader must submit his name every year at the council’s annual general meeting for re-election.

Mr Hoey and Mr Oliver put their names forward as challengers after South Antrim MP David Burnside called last month for a change of leadership.

Supporters of Mr Trimble expected him today to secure over 60% of the vote.

However his internal critics warned that should he win today’s contest, it would drive between 100 and 150 members out of the party.

“Morale is lower than I have ever seen it,” one veteran member said.

“I am being told you are looking in the region of 100 to 150 people leaving. Some of them will go to the DUP, others simply will pack in their involvement in politics.”

Trimble loyalists also accepted there would be more defections, but were more philosophical.

“When Jeffrey [Donaldson] left, it enabled us to rebuild in his constituency of Lagan Valley and attract people who were put off by the squabbling orchestrated by his wing,” one Assembly supporter said.

“If more people do go after today, we will continue to rebuild the UUP and attract people to our ranks.”

The UUP has had a turbulent 12 months since the council last met.

Ian Paisley’s DUP replaced them as Northern Ireland’s largest party in last November’s Assembly Election which also saw the UUP fall behind Sinn Féin in the popular vote.

The party also ended up paying the costs of a messy legal action which overturned moves to suspend three MPs who resigned the whip in a row over policy.

After months of feuding with Trimble supporters, one of the MPs, Jeffrey Donaldson left the party in January to join the DUP with two Assembly colleagues, Norah Beare and Arlene Foster.

There have also been a number of grassroots defections.

Council delegates were also due to vote today on a number of other key positions in the party.

South Belfast MP, the Rev Martin Smyth, who secured 43% support in an unsuccessful bid to oust Mr Trimble four years ago, was facing a tough battle to hold onto his role as party president against a challenge from Lord Rogan.

Delegates were also due to elect four vice presidents and four honorary secretaries.

Sources close to former Stormont Economy Minister Reg Empey, who was touted as a possible leadership contender, suggested he may not seek re-election as a vice president.

Belfast councillor, Jim Rodgers was also reported to be considering last night whether he would withdraw from the party officers’ team.

The council was also due to vote on new party rules.