A Party that helped win the Peace and destroyed itself in the process UUP A Party that helped win the Peace and destroyed itself in the process

Out of all Parties the UUP has lost the most from the Good Friday agreement DESPITE being one of its architects 9 MP's No MPs! 1 MP

The Ulster Unionists were previously THE party in Northern Ireland They have a history stretching back to the Home Rule crisis in early 20th Century They are traditionally the more MODERATE Unionist Party

The UUP have always been more willing to compromise than the DUP. They were a very traditional party with a steady, reliable and loyal electorate of mostly middle Class Protestants They have taken part in many talks to find an agreement

In the 1990’s the UUP was in a dominant position – even holding the balance of power in Britain at one stage! They gradually became involved in the Peace process – a key move to restore peace and an agreement

The UUP had a very difficult road to peace – It had to negotiate an agreement which was bound to be controversial and unpopulare among many Unionists It aimed however to bind Britain and Northern Ireland closer together in the process

Despite huge turmoil and division within the party – they signed the GFA They knew they faced massive opposition from the DUP. They also faced opposition from within

1. The UUP had to appear strong and resolute in its dealings with Sinn Fein However Unionist electoral support was conditional – in securing Good Government WITH decommissioning Lack of IRA Decommissioning plagued the UUP who had to defend their dealings with Sinn Fein

2. The Major issues such as Decommissioning went unanswered while the RUC was dismantled, Prisoners released and security taken away. Unionist voters began to become disillusioned

3. The UUP found itself having to confront very difficult issues in order to move forward – these were very divisive and the party appeared divided and often leaderless

4. The DUP found itself in a beneficial position of being in an Assembly where the UUP makes all the difficult decisions and the DUP can gain support from outright opposition The DUP also appeals as it seems united The UUP looked old fashioned Voters drain gradually to the DUP

5. In areas where votes were very close the Unionist vote was often much more fragmented leading to loss of seats to Sinn Fein

6. Unlike Paisley the leadership of David Trimble was lacking in Charisma and appeared divided and edgy

7. The UUP have made the huge step of joining in a link with the Conservative party This could have benefitted the Conservatives with extra seats in Parliament It could benefit the UUP as it is an injection of political ideas and know how into an old fashioned party It also would enable it to address Westminster representation HOWEVER the link only served to further divide the Party !

8. They still face a threat not only from the DUP but also the TUV (and now NI21)–leaving a much more fragmented Unionist vote Their only MP Lady Sylvia Hermon quit the UUP in protest at the Conservative link up

9. They lack identity and sense of purpose Voters find it hard to differentiate between the DUP and UUP The party missed a trick with the Flag protests – voting to join with the DUP in a show of Unionist unity- This achieved nothing only division

9. The party has faced criticism for not going into opposition (this could have beneficial effects politically) They have instead courted unity and electoral ties with the DUP a policy which has lost them some support and several MLA’s