Ulster Unionist Party leadership election, 2004

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The 2004 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election was triggered by the decision of a group of UUP members to challenge incumbent leader David Trimble over the party's direction following the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly elections at the party's annual general meeting on March 27, 2004. The UUP has held a leadership election every March since at least the Ulster Unionist Council constitution was altered in 1973, however it is rarely contested. This is one of the few occasions when it has been contested.

The election was decided by delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council. After one round of voting Trimble retained his leadership.

[edit] Candidates

David Hoey, management consultant from Coleraine
Robert Oliver, businessman from Portadown and Treasurer of Trimble's Constituency Party
David Trimble, MP for Upper Bann and sitting leader

Hoey declared prior to the election that he was a Stalking horse candidate who would stand aside in favour of others should he win the contest. It was believied at the time that the "others" referred to was in fact South Antrim MP David Burnside. Oliver insisted that should he win he would serve as leader despite holding no elected office.

It was generally accepted that Hoey was a Burnside proxy candidate and that Oliver sought to attract the votes of anti Trimble delegates for whom Burnside was not an adequate leader. It was believed that Trimble would easily win, but would have to stand down should both challengers poll more than 50% of votes cast combined.

[edit] Results

Votes were cast as follows

David Trimble - 448
David Hoey - 162
Robert Oliver - 132

David Trimble was re-elected.

In addition the party Presidency was subject to re-election. The incumbent, the Rev. Martin Smyth MP, a constant critic of Trimble, lost the post to Lord Rogan by 407 to 329 votes.

Following the election neither defeated candidate left the party. Hoey contested the party selection convention for the nomination to fight the East Londonderry seat in the 2005 UK General Election but was defeated by MLA, David McClarty. He also unsuccessfully stood to be a party officer at the 2006 AGM of the UUC. Oliver unsuccessfully stood for election to Craigavon Borough Council in 2005 as a UUP candidate.