Gareth Gordon BBC Northern Ireland Political Correspondent

David Trimble: headed for the Lords?

He used to be the Harry Houdini of Northern Ireland politics, but David Trimble's luck finally ran out. Now the SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, has emerged Steve McQueen-like with an act of escapology of which Mr Trimble would have been proud.

His was a do-or-die struggle to hold his mentor John Hume's seat of Foyle. Victory for Sinn Fein and the SDLP could have been finished - never mind Mr Durkan.

But to win by 6,000 votes is a result no-one could have predicted.

And with Alasdair McDonnell taking south Belfast and Eddie McGrady easily holding off Sinn Fein in South Down, the SDLP has escaped the guillotine in near-miraculous fashion.

But for the Ulster Unionists, it could hardly be worse.

When David Trimble became leader in 1995, the party had 10 Westminster seats to the DUP's two. Now they have just one - North Down - to the DUP's nine.

The electorate has finally done what the party's ruling council failed on several occasions to do - finish off David Trimble good and proper.

Mr Trimble announced his resignation on Saturday following a private meeting with the party's president and chairman. The Nobel prize winner may now be in line for a seat in the House of Lords.

Mark Durkan kept Foyle for the SDLP

A meeting of the 100 strong Ulster Unionist Executive is likely to take place in about a week. It will begin the process that will lead to the selection of a new party leader.

What they wouldn't give to be in the same position of that other party which was said to be in difficulties - the SDLP.

If Mr Durkan's result was remarkable so was Alasdair McDonnell's.

The fact that he only won South Belfast because the unionist vote was so split is something the party won't be worrying about for the moment.

Alasdair McDonnell is the first nationalist MP for South Belfast

Chances are the DUP, which came so close to winning the seat from a standing start, will now make it its number one target next time around.

Mr McDonnell may only have one term to enjoy the glory he waited 28 years to claim.

Similarly, Mr McGrady, 70 in June, is likely to have defended South Down for the final time.

Sinn Fein will be confident of taking that seat at the next election. But for now the SDLP have bought themselves some time and have stopped the Sinn Fein juggernaut.

They live to fight another day - the Ulster Unionists can only hope they do as well.

Jim Fitzpatrick presents Politics Show from Northern Ireland

Politics Show

On Politics Show Northern Ireland Jim Fitzpatrick talks to some of the newly-elected first time MPs.

That is Politics Show from Northern Ireland on BBC One on Sunday 08 May, from 12.00pm.

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