Empey to quit in the autumn
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has confirmed he will step down in the autumn before the party's annual conference.
Saturday, 15 May 2010
After a meeting with about 100 members of the party executive on Saturday, Sir Reg revealed his intention to resign and said he took responsibility for any mistakes.
Sir Reg, who was the architect of an alliance with David Cameron's Conservatives, was narrowly defeated in South Antrim by Democratic Unionist William McCrea.
The electoral link-up with the Conservative Party failed to win any Westminster seats for the first time in the party history, while defector Lady Sylvia Hermon swept to victory in North Down.
"Following a disappointing election campaign I feel that the party needs to review its position," Sir Reg said on Saturday.
"This will be undertaken immediately in the form of a consultation chaired by party deputy chairman Terry Wright.
"I remain confident by the fact that our vote held and indeed increased in most constituencies.
"However I know we have made mistakes. I take full responsibility for this."
In a statement, the UUP said Sir Reg received a strong amount of personal support from party members, many of whom asked him to reconsider his decision to step down.
But Sir Reg said he made the decision to go after consultation with family, party colleagues and close friends.
He said the party will now turn its attention to winning seats in the Assembly election.
"We will embark on a work programme over the next few months where we will focus our attention on the Assembly election," he continued.
"Our destination is clear - this is not about fighting an election - this is about winning seats.
"We will continue to talk to unionists on the ground asking where they want our party to go.
"Over 100,000 people voted for us in this General Election - we will not let them down."
The party executive also considered its pact with the Conservatives ahead of a predicted visit to Northern Ireland by new Prime Minister David Cameron.
The party statement said: "The Executive meeting also discussed the issues of the Conservative project and unionist unity with agreement reached that discussion would ensue about where external relationships stand.
"There will be no pre-determined outcome to this process."
The names in the frame to succeed Sir Reg include Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy, Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott, Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.
Critics of the party's performance have openly highlighted the lack of preparation time for their new candidates ahead of the poll while advocates insist the Tory link-up offered a real opportunity for "normal" politics to take over from a sectarian head count.
Liberals like Basil McCrea want to appeal to voters who would traditionally vote Alliance and hope to turn away from the DUP and Conservatives.
Others in the party are said to favour unionist unity, ahead of next year's assembly election which could see Martin McGuinness take the first minister's job if Sinn Fein tops the poll.
But many are said to be wary of being overshadowed by the larger DUP.
© UTV News