UUP leadership contest a `defining moment'

Supporters of Mr David Trimble and the Rev Martin Smyth in the election for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party tomorrow are characterising this contest as a defining moment for the party and for the Belfast Agreement itself.

The two groupings, which broadly fall into the pro- and anti-agreement camps, are today continuing intense lobbying to maximise the vote for their candidates. Considerable rancour and bitterness have entered into the contest.

The Yes side is arguing that a vote for Mr Trimble will "purge the poison" from the party, while the No faction is claiming that the only way to safeguard the union is by ousting Mr Trimble.

Both camps were last night claiming that this leadership tussle will once and for all "clear the air" over the future direction of the UUP, over whether it should take risks to safeguard the agreement or whether there can be no deviation from the policy of "no guns no government".

"This is a battle between old unionism and new unionism," said one senior pro-agreement unionist.

Those endorsing Mr Trimble argued that Mr Smyth must win at least 40 per cent of the 860 votes at tomorrow's Ulster Unionist Council meeting in Belfast, while opponents of the leader contended that if Mr Smyth can take one-third of the votes, Mr Trimble's position will be untenable.

Mr Michael McGimpsey, the South Belfast UUP Assembly member, said that if Mr Smyth failed to match the 42 per cent vote opposing the UUP entering into government with Sinn Fein at last November's council meeting, then the anti-agreement camp should admit defeat.

The East Derry MP Mr William Ross said that one-third of the vote for Mr Smyth tomorrow could mortally wound Mr Trimble's leadership. "What David Trimble said in Washington was a bridge too far. We can no longer tolerate that."

Mr Smyth said he was "quietly confident" he could defeat Mr Trimble. He was opposing Mr Trimble because he believed his Washington comments about possibly going back into government with Sinn Fein ahead of IRA decommissioning were dangerous and contrary to party policy.

Mr Trimble said he was happy to leave the decision to the collective wisdom of the council delegates. "I hope that this will clear the air and that the party then will be able to unite around the democratic decision that the council has taken," he added.

Senior party figures were rallying around both candidates last night. Pro-agreement unionists such as Mr Ken Maginnis and former assembly ministers Sir Reg Empey and Mr Michael McGimpsey came out strongly for Mr Trimble.

The deputy leader of the party, Mr John Taylor, indicated last night that he would be supporting Mr Trimble in the leadership contest, describing Mr Smyth's challenge as "ill-advised".

Mr Smyth, however, was able to claim that the majority of the party's MPs such as Mr William Thompson, Mr William Ross, and Mr Roy Beggs supported him. He was further boosted by statements in his favour from the Lagan Valley MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson and former UUP leader Lord Molyneaux.

Mr Donaldson said that despite having argued against a leadership challenge, he understood the frustration that drove Mr Smyth to go forward. "It is a frustration which is shared by many in the unionist community and a vote for Martin Smyth on Saturday will be a clear warning to the (British) government and to republicans that unionists have given enough."

Lord Molyneaux said that in Washington Mr Trimble was "enticed on to yet another slippery slope". Mr Smyth would have his full support because he had the "necessary experience and determination to halt the drift in support for the Union with Britain".