September 1995 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election

The September 1995 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election began on 28 August 1995 when James Molyneaux resigned as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party following a year of political setbacks for his party. Lee Reynolds, a Young Unionist had contested the leadership at the Ulster Unionist Council AGM in March 1995, receiving a small but significant number of votes. It was widely speculated that David Trimble was one of those behind Reynolds's candidature, although Trimble, his aides and Reynolds's supporters all denied this at the time and subsequently.

September 1995 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election
8 September 1995
  Blank Blank
Candidate David Trimble John Taylor Ken Maginnis
First Ballot 287 226 117
Percentage 35.6% 28.0% 14.5%
Final Ballot 466 333 Withdrew
Percentage 58.3% 41.7% Withdrew
 
Candidate William Ross Martin Smyth
First Ballot 116 60
Percentage 14.4% 7.4%
Final Ballot Eliminated Eliminated
Percentage Eliminated Eliminated
Leader before election

James Molyneaux

 Elected Leader

David Trimble

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.

Molyneaux's successor was elected by delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council met on 8 September 1995. After three rounds of voting the election was won by David Trimble.[1]

Candidates

Results

At the meeting delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council voted in a succession of ballots until one candidate had an absolute majority.

Candidate Total
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3
Votes % Votes % Votes %
David Trimble Green tickY 287
35.6 353
43.6 466
58.3
John Taylor 226
28 255
31.5 333
41.7
Ken Maginnis[lower-alpha 1] Red XN 117
14.5 110
13.6
William Ross Red XN 116
14.4 91
11.2
Martin Smyth Red XN 60
7.4
Total 806 100 809 100 799 100

After the third round, David Trimble was elected.

Notes
  1. Candidate withdrew

References
  1. ^ Goodson, Dean. Himself Alone: David Trimble and the ordeal of Unionism (London, Harper Perennial, 2004), p. 127.
  2. ^ Goodson, Dean. Himself Alone: David Trimble and the ordeal of Unionism (London, Harper Perennial, 2004), pp. 146–155.
Specific
  1. "Unfortunately, this service is no longer available | University of Essex".
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