What did the number of UUP seats decrease to from 1998 to 2017?

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) experienced a significant decline in its representation over the years from 1998 to 2017. Initially, in 1998, the UUP held 28 seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, reflecting a strong presence in the political landscape at that time. However, by 2017, the number of seats they held had decreased dramatically to just 10. This drop illustrates a substantial loss of support and influence, highlighting the challenges that traditional unionist parties faced during this period, including the rise of other parties and changing political dynamics in Northern Ireland.

The decrease from 28 to 10 seats denotes a party that was struggling to retain its electorate, which results in consequential changes in the assembly’s balance of power. This significant reduction underscores broader shifts in Northern Irish politics, where voter demographics and preferences altered significantly in the years following the Good Friday Agreement and beyond.

Option B, reflecting the UUP’s decrease in seats from 28 to 10, accurately captures the extent of this decline and serves as a clear indicator of the changing political landscape in Northern Ireland during that period.