ROBIN Swann is one of life's gentlemen – polite, sincere and inoffensive. His departure was unexpected but not surprising.
He was a reluctant leader, elevated to the post in a bid to put the party back on a more traditional footing after the five-year tenure of the comparatively liberal Mike Nesbitt.
He is a staunch unionist and an Orangeman but despite his apparent hardline credentials, Mr Swann did little beyond opposing a Irish language act to antagonise nationalists and effectively followed a conservative Christian line, all the while making it clear that there was no place in the UUP for homophobia, sectarianism and racism.
As a leader, however, he was ineffectual, lacking both Machiavellian ruthlessness and strategic vision. Luck wasn't on his side either – within 10 days of taking office, Theresa May called a snap election that would see MPs Danny Kinahan and Tom Elliott lose their seats. Earlier this year, the party also lost its long-held place in the European Parliament.
Under the North Antrim MLA's two-and-a-half years in charge the UUP has drifted, locked into a policy of implementing the 2016 EU referendum result, fully aware that it would most likely cause economic hardship for the north and undermine support for the union – not a stance exclusive to the UUP but unlike the DUP, it had backed Remain.
Meanwhile, the DUP has had its worst period since 'Irisgate' nearly a decade ago, with RHI-related bad publicity and Ian Paisley's misdemeanours heaped on top of its Brexit mess. Yet the Ulster Unionists have been unable to exploit its rival's problems, lacking a carnivorous streak and unable to put clear blue water between themselves and the DUP on policy.
Whoever succeeds Mr Swann – Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie is earmarked as the most likely successor – will face the same problems. It's an ageing party, living largely on past glories and in danger of being swallowed up by the DUP.
As Northern Ireland approaches the centenary of its foundation, the party that dominated politics in the region for the best part of those 100 years is in danger of becoming extinct, leaving many moderate unionists without a voice. Simply adopting the same strategy as Robin Swann will likely only speed the UUP's demise.
