Empey orders UUP operation review

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6579299.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey has ordered a six-month review of the party's operation.

No other party would tolerate its own members destroying it from within, he told its annual general meeting in Belfast.

It has been described as one of the party's most important conferences.

It comes days after a row within the party over whether Sir Reg should take a ministerial post or concentrate on rebuilding the party.

He told delegates on Saturday that the UUP needed new blood and fresh thinking if it is to prosper in future elections.

"Now more than ever, there is a pressing need for a party that demonstrates that the Union benefits all the people of Northern Ireland; for a party that promotes an inclusive vision of Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom," he said.

"We must reach out to that growing number of people who do not classify themselves as either unionist or nationalist but who would probably be broadly supportive of the Union and of pro-Union policies.

"We must persuade them that we can represent their beliefs and we can only do that by persuading them of the merits of our cause and our vision for Northern Ireland."

'Take another ministry'

This had been the party's "historic mission", which it now had to recommit to "with renewed vigour and in new ways".

Sir Reg said there was a need for the UUP to work with parties of the centre to provide an alternative to what he described as "the DUP/Sinn Fein axis".

Earlier this week, news emerged of a row over a ministerial post.

Alan McFarland turned down the health job

North Down MLA Alan McFarland turned down the chance to be health minister after Sir Reg decided to take another ministry.

The party leader told Saturday's meeting that "there never needed to be a public squabble about who would lead the charge for reform".

He added: "Have we learned nothing whatsoever in the past decade? Does anyone in this party actually believe that this sort of media coverage helps us?

"If you have a gripe, then knock my door and talk to me."