Daunting task for Empey

The new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Sir Reg Empey, faces a daunting task in motivating an organisation that has been…

The new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Sir Reg Empey, faces a daunting task in motivating an organisation that has been demoralised by the electoral triumphs of the Democratic Unionist Party and the ascendancy of the Rev Ian Paisley in its centenary year.

The former Trimble loyalist could, with the passage of time, have some advantages over his predecessor. Divisions within a diminished party are not as extreme as heretofore.

And the leader can no longer be called to account at the whim of a handful of members, arising from changes in the party constitution and the severing of links between the Orange Order and the Ulster Unionist Council.

In his initial comments as party leader, Sir Reg has presented himself as a tough-minded politician who cannot be taken for granted. He has held out the prospect of refusing - in certain circumstances - to participate in an Executive that arises from a political deal between the DUP and Sinn Féin.

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He has announced his intention to make Orange parades a priority of his leadership and said there can be no political settlement until the issue has been properly tackled.

Tough talking is understandable at this stage, given the extremely narrow margin of Sir Reg's victory over Alan McFarland. The outcome of the vote will have shocked many in the UUP establishment. It reflected a palpable desire for change and for ending a period of uncertainty, confusion and indiscipline that marked the dying days of Mr Trimble's leadership. But it was hardly as traumatic for the party as the surprise win by Mr Trimble over John Taylor a decade earlier.

There are indications Sir Reg is prepared to recognise the groundswell for change. Yesterday, he held discussions with Lady Sylvia Hermon, the party's only Westminster MP and a key supporter of Mr McFarland, in an effort to heal divisions that have existed for some time. When Lady Hermon declined to enter the leadership race, she was adamant the UUP should not attempt to "out-DUP the DUP", but should concentrate instead on re-energising the organisation and becoming relevant to the large number of moderate unionists who stayed at home in recent elections.

New political talent, along with greater discipline and a more effective organisation, will be required if Sir Reg is to succeed in restoring the fortunes of the UUP. His most immediate task will be to ensure the party's power base in the Assembly is protected against the depredations of the DUP.

Strategic thinking and hard work will be required in the event of the IRA going out of business and a deal being done by the DUP and Sinn Féin. The opportunity for the new leader of the UUP is to proceed with enlightened self-interest and maintain a consistent stance on the Belfast Agreement rather than succumb to the natural temptation , after adverse elections, to say no to every political development.