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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Ulster Unionist vote collapses in Northern Ireland , hardliners routed

Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 at 08:18 AM

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The Ulster Unionist party has been wiped out in the Northern Irish elections. It is akin to the Democrats failing to win any seats in the U.S. senate.

Not too long ago the Ulster Unionists were the unquestioned masters in Northern Ireland.

They had every prime minster in the state's history from 1921 and led every power sharing government from the 1970s up until 2007 when Ian Paisley of the rival Democratic Unionist Party went into power with Martin McGuinness,

While the defeat of Peter Robinson, now head of the Democratic Unionist Party and of the power sharing government, was a sensational result there were many obvious reason for it, the scandal involving his wife and dubious land deals being the key ones.

Robinson's role as head of the power sharing government is still intact but he may face pressure to step down.

Think of it as still being co-governor with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness of the state of Northern Ireland while he lost a federal election to the Westminster parliament

The UUP though is a party that has simply imploded.

The party leader party Sir Reg Empey was defeated handily while their only previous MP Lady Sylvia Hermon,ran and won as an independent this time because she disagreed with the party signing a deal with the Tory party in Britain before the vote.

The Tradional Unionist Voice, an even harder line unionist party also had a very bad election., Their leader was easily defeated by Ian Paisley's son Ian Junior in their big shot at an upset

Reg Empey's decision to try a harder line unionism than the DUP has failed spectacularly and he is probably doomed as party leader. The other big winner on the night was the Alliance Party. the moderate centrist group whose candidate Naomi Long, took Peter Robinson's seat.

Nationalist parties fared as expected with Gerry Adams winning the biggest majority in Northern Ireland. Adams certainly answered his critics who had said he was on the down slope after recent controversies. Sinn Fein easily returned four MPs

A recount was ordered in Fermanagh /South Tyrone where Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Fein and an agreed unionist candidate Roderick O'Connor are in a tense third recount. Gildernew emerged victorious by just four votes

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HughesDohmann | Jul 05, 2010, 09:55 PM EDT

Ian Paisley sounds like he could easily attend a KK meeting. Back in the day Rev.'s were usually the persons for leading such meetings. Calling people vermin. Kind of sounds like a Nazi. Maybe there is safety in numbers. 1.5 Billion Catholics and what, 25 or thirty million non-catholic. Or " Christians" as they like to say as if Catholics are not. The Catholic Church is just the first Christian church founded by Jesus and his apostles that's all. They better start being little bunnies you know,haha!

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Gerry57 | May 10, 2010, 04:48 PM EDT

The elections proved that we can unite Ireland within the political system;slow as always.Thumbs up for Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein.

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wmeehan678 | May 09, 2010, 05:28 PM EDT

Excellent article. Keep them coming.

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johhnyb | May 09, 2010, 10:46 AM EDT

Amused at Seanomelbourne who is predicting that his day will come. Presumably he lives in Melbourne, despite his obvious attachment to Ireland.

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seanomelbourne | May 08, 2010, 08:49 PM EDT

I Presume you mean Sir Reg Maudling. Maudling by name and maudlin by nature.

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Searlit | May 08, 2010, 10:32 AM EDT

It sounds like the people of NI want the devolution of powers to Northern Ireland. Great!

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Bushothehill | May 08, 2010, 07:36 AM EDT

The comments of Sir Reggie Maulding, the Minister for N.I., who after a very frustrating 2 years trying to govern the warring tribes of the North, got on a plane for a final trip home to dear old Blighty. As he took his seat on the departing aircraft, he immediately ordered a double scotch, threw it back and ordered another which departed life quicker than the first. He then made the following statement which bears no parsing or explaining: What an awful bloody country!!!!!!!

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FastEddy | May 07, 2010, 07:20 PM EDT

Censored again ... Oh well.

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seanomelbourne | May 07, 2010, 07:16 PM EDT

The nationalist vote held solidly,whilst the unionist are in disarray.Tiocfaidh an la.

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Watchman | May 07, 2010, 01:23 PM EDT

It's absurd, and ignorant, to compare the Ulster Unionists to the Democrats. The DUP eclipsed the Unionists years ago. Going into this election, the UUP only had one MP – and she defected. In fact, there are no comparisons at all between the U.S. and N.I. America has just two parties; NI has Sinn Fein, the SDLP (who held up quite well), the DUP, the rump UUP and the Alliance Party, plus fringe groups and independents. I'll be there on Wednesday and will let you know what's REALLY going on.

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bostonblakie | May 07, 2010, 12:25 PM EDT

Too bad they all can't come over to the USA and discover what real differences among those in the neighborhood are like.

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Niall O'Dowd | May 07, 2010, 11:31 AM EDT

JOhnnnybb not true anymore. The UU's tried to outflank the DUP on this election, refusing to agree with the devolution of powers to Northern Ireland

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killowen | May 07, 2010, 10:58 AM EDT

So far so good. A nation divided cannot stand. The poodle needs its head restored. I'm hopeful but how is the occupier going to manage when and if the harp is removed from their standards and symbols. A real chiseling and cutting will be unleased when UK be left then with the trinity of the leek, the thistle and the rose. the trauma on their worldwide diaspora is another matter.

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benbhoy | May 07, 2010, 10:40 AM EDT

Wont be long until we have a united ireland.

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johhnyb | May 07, 2010, 09:38 AM EDT

Slight lack of comprehension on your part there I fear. The Ulster Unionists are the least 'hard line' of all the Unionist parties.

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