Tom Elliott saw off the challenge of Basil McCrea to become UUP leader The Ulster Unionist Party has picked Tom Elliott as its new leader.
Mr Elliott, 46, who represents Fermanagh and South Tyrone, saw off the challenge of Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea by 643 votes to 294.
Sir Reg Empey had announced he would quit as Ulster Unionist leader in the aftermath of a disastrous general election which left it with no MPs.
Many of the party’s senior figures, including all but one of its MLAs, had declared their backing for Mr Elliott.
Mr McCrea had hoped to secure enough votes from rank-and-file members, positioning himself as a moderniser.
Mr Elliott is seen as the “establishment” candidate, with his background as a senior Orangeman and former UDR soldier who holds traditionalist views.
In the past decade, the UUP has gone from having 10 MPs to none.
One of the first tasks for Mr Elliott will be healing any rifts within the party.
He will also have to set about winning back voters from the DUP and attracting unionists who no longer vote at all.
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