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UUP ponders worth of executive seat

By BY SAM McBRIDE
Published on Monday 24 October 2011 14:36

NEITHER of the two most significant events at Saturday’s Ulster Unionist gathering took part during the official conference.

A fringe meeting — itself a rarity at a UUP conference — called to discuss the practicalities of the UUP entering opposition proved interesting. The event was organised by the party’s youth wing, and as such would hardly have raised eyebrows were it not for the large attendance.

Former UUP researcher Michael Shilliday, now in London studying law, told those crowded into the small room that opposition was “the major issue for the party”.

He said that the party would have a clear position in the eyes of the public if it entered opposition and, given the party’s limited ability to implement its policies through the executive, added: “What influence do we lose?”

Young Unionist Frank Geddis Jr suggested that in such a scenario the party should define itself as centre-right and pro-Union.

Former leader Lord Empey said that he and the others who framed the 1998 Belfast Agreement believed then that its structures should evolve to allow for an opposition.

Treasurer Mark Cosgrove cautioned against withdrawal in the absence of Westminster changes to the law to provide for an opposition.

The other significant development on Saturday came when a behind-closed-doors meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council ratified changes to party rules.

Among them is a decision that in future the UUP leader will appoint the party chairman, rather than him being elected. That will enable greater co-ordination between the man who manages the party day-to-day and the leader. The change could lead to a more coherent and united party core.

It appears that electoral failures have led the UUP to conclude that recovery may only come after a fairly dramatic change of course.


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