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March 2012, that's how far back you have to go to find the last contest for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Mike Nesbitt famously beat John McAllister to the prize on that occasion, and since then there have been four leaders, one of whom Mr. Nesbitt, has

served twice and is now poised to hand the baton on again. We now know by the end of this month.

I'm Mark Carruthers. In this edition of Red Lines we're looking at the battle for succession.

If in fact there is a battle at all, there could be of course yet another coronation.

We'll hear from two former elected representatives from the party shortly, but first let's bring in our political

correspondent, Gareth Gordon, and the deputy editor of Slugger O'Toole, Dr David McCant.

I try to work out where we are on this moving story. Gareth, first of all, just about an

hour ago, the Ulster Unionist Party confirmed that its nomination process is open and will close next Thursday the 15th of January.

Now, the EGM to elect the new leader is going to be Saturday the 31st of January and two names seem to be in the frame to succeed Mike Nesbitt.

The newbie, John Burroughs and the current deputy leader Robbie Butler.

But as we speak, we still can't be sure there's going to be a contest.

No, we can't. I can be fairly sure that John Burroughs will be putting his name forward.

When that happens, I don't know.

I was and I still am kind of anticipating it tomorrow,

which would be for the benefit of those people

not listening to this today Thursday.

But I understand from the Burroughs camp

that Mr. Burroughs is having a final meeting with his people, but there's

nothing to indicate that it's not going to happen tomorrow.

The big unknown, I think, is Will Robbie Butler, the current deputy leader of the party,

...