"It's a sad day for Ulster," said one young delegate at the Waterfront Hall, moments after the result of the UUC vote was announced. People milled around, some hugging each other in delight, others just standing with sombre faces.
One delegate scribbled frantically on a piece of paper, trying to work out the percentage Mr David Trimble had received. "53 per cent," he announced to his friends. "It's a sad day."
Those who voted No were not surprised by the result, but it was no less disappointing for that. "It is very disheartening to lose by such a small percentage," said Simon Hamilton, the chairman of the Queen's Ulster Unionist Association. "It shows quite clearly that a minority of unionists actually support the deal and the process as it stands . . . I don't think the party will be the same after this."
Timothy Cairns, a young unionist, had also voted No. "Ulster has sold out . . . Britishness will be eroded," he said. "Unionism has given and given and given and never got anything in return."
He said the meeting had been calm, with a sensible level of debate, but he described John Taylor as a joke - "He is more of a comedian than Paddy Kielty." He described it as Northern Ireland's darkest day - "because we have a fully armed terrorist organisation who have persecuted this land for 30 years who are now going to be running the government." His friend, Gail, was also unhappy. "We are all a big party and we are all together - it's just democracy and it's the end of the vote, the majority wins on the day - but I disagree with what happened."
For those who supported Mr Trimble's proposals, there was relief, despite the narrow margin of victory.
"I'm very pleased with it," said one woman. "I just wish it had been a bit better for Mr Trimble, I hope that the other ones will accept the decision."
Maj Thomas Walton, from Donaghadee, Co Down, puffing on his pipe after the meeting, said: "David is the only chance we have . . . he is the best leader for the Ulster Unionist Party."
Another delegate remarked: "The party is going to have to work together. It is the only way to move forward. This vote was a chance for peace and everybody should take it."
Before the meeting, a group of delegates had stood around their car outside the Waterfront Hall. There were chocolate biscuits and plastic cups of tea on the roof. All five were voting No because they said they did not want to be in government with "terrorists".
Andrew Gowan (18) said "it is an appeasement to terrorism, they haven't given the war up". He was not concerned about the implications of a No vote. "I'm more worried about what is going to happen if there is a Yes vote."