The Ulster Unionist Party will tonight choose its candidate to contest the Westminster South Antrim by-election caused by the recent death of the quiet man of Northern Ireland politics, Clifford Forsythe.
It is billed as another battle between the UUP's Yes and No camps, although it is more complex than that. Tonight will tell whether the political day of destiny has arrived for London-based public relations consultant Mr David Burnside, a man who could yet emerge as a powerful figure within Ulster Unionism.
The prospect of being South Antrim's representative in the House of Commons has aroused great ambitions in several Ulster Unionists. Mr Forsythe enjoyed a 16,000-vote majority and irrespective of demographic uncertainties, whoever wins this seat should be an MP for life.
Initially, seven politicians were seeking the nomination, but the party's chief whip in the Assembly, Mr Jim Wilson, was barred from competing by the UUP's hierarchy because of its no Westminster/Assembly double-jobbing rule.
Then yesterday, the South Antrim MLA, Mr Duncan Shipley-Dalton, who was given special permission to contest the selection convention, dropped rather a bombshell by withdrawing his name, and also announcing his intention to withdraw from politics entirely. The mercurial and liberal Mr Shipley-Dalton said he would not be standing for the Assembly next time around, complaining he was treated "shabbily" by party headquarters. He is returning to his barrister's practice.
So tonight, five are vying for this plum candidacy. The main contenders are seen as Mr Burnside and Mr David Campbell, chief of staff for the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble.
Three members of Antrim Council are also seeking the nomination, Mr Adrian Watson, Mr Roderick Swann and Mr Roy Thompson. It can't be ruled out that one of them could emerge as a compromise candidate. It may also assist their chances that they live in the constituency, unlike Mr Burnside and Mr Campbell.
The successful candidate tonight must win at least 50 per cent plus one of the votes of the 190 delegates. The winner will have interesting times ahead. His main unionist opponent for South Antrim will be the Rev William McCrea of the DUP. The election is expected to be called for the autumn.
The hot money is on Mr Burnside, from Ballymoney. Just as Mr Trimble rode to power on the back of his hardline stance at Drumcree in 1995, so might Mr Burnside get the nod based on his motion to the Ulster Unionist Council demanding that the restoration of the Assembly and Executive be contingent on maintaining the name of the RUC.
The passing of that motion may prove academic because it did not halt a return to devolution and has not so far saved the name of the RUC. But in terms of Mr Burnside's political goals it could prove crucial. He is portrayed as a brusque and ruthlessly ambitious individual but he has established that he fights the fight. Ulster Unionists like that sort of thing.
His supporters argue that he will inject fresh backbone into the party, and that he will galvanise it for what promises to be bruising electoral contests with the DUP for the heart and soul of unionism in the coming years. After successful years in the cut-throat world of London PR, particularly his period as British Airways publicity chief, he has earned a reputation as a battler with a strategic mind.
They argue too that rather than being simplistically anti-agreement, he can be a unifying focus for the Yes and No blocs in the UUP. And it is true that Mr Burnside has some of the facility of Mr John Taylor to be in two camps at the same time. But that too is a political gift - even St Paul spoke of the value in being all things to all people.
Mr Trimble's chief aide, Mr David Campbell, appears to have the best chance of upsetting Mr Burnside's ambition. A farmer from the neighbouring Lagan Valley constituency, who would be fairly well known and liked in South Antrim, his chances rest on the mind-set of the 190 delegates tonight.
For 17 years local unionists were happy to have the late Mr Forsythe as their MP. Mr Forsythe seldom made the headlines, but earned their allegiance by doing his work diligently and efficiently. If they feel that Mr Burnside is just too modern and flint-edged for their political needs, Mr Campbell, or possibly one of the three councillors, may get the nod.
If they have a mind to the bigger unionist canvas, Mr Burnside should get the vote.
Mr Trimble would probably be of two minds here. He knows that were Mr Burnside to establish a power base within the UUP, he could ultimately be his nemesis. Equally, he may take some comfort from having Mr Burnside doing his business from within the UUP tent rather than without.