Ulster Unionist leader to step down next month

Outgoing Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey today formally confirmed he will step down as the party’s figurehead next month.

His resignation was already on the cards after a disappointing General Election, but party chairman David Campbell said Sir Reg had now officially confirmed his decision to resign on September 22.

The announcement means the race for his successor can begin in earnest.

Sir Reg took leadership of the party in 2005 with the intent of challenging the growing power of the Democratic Unionist Party, but a ground-breaking electoral alliance with David Cameron’s Conservatives failed to excite voters. The once-mighty Ulster Unionist Party ended the recent General Election campaign without a single MP.

But Mr Campbell today praised Sir Reg’s contribution to the party, saying: “His period of leadership of our party has produced the reform and modernisation of our structures which eluded his predecessors and he has restored financial stability to our organisation and undoubtedly moved the UUP and Northern Ireland closer to mainstream British political life.”

Sir Reg will continue to carry out the functions of leader until a replacement is elected at a meeting of party members planned for Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on September 22.