| Election Name: | 1979 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election |
| Type: | presidential |
| Previous Election: | 1974 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election |
| Previous Year: | 1974 |
| Next Election: | March 1995 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election |
| Next Year: | March 1995 |
| Election Date: | 1979 |
| Candidate1: | James Molyneaux |
| Colour1: | 48A5EE |
| Candidate2: | Robert Bradford |
| Colour2: | 48A5EE |
| Candidate3: | Austin Ardill |
| Colour3: | 48A5EE |
| Leader | |
| Before Election: | Harry West |
| After Election: | James Molyneaux |
The 1979 Ulster Unionist Party leadership election saw James Molyneaux succeed Harry West as leader on 7 September.[1] At a specially convened meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council at the Ulster Hall, Belfast, in early September, Molyneaux (MP for South Antrim) beat Reverend Robert Bradford (MP for Belfast South) by a three to one majority (with Austin Ardill coming a distant third).[2] Molyneaux had previously been parliamentary leader of the United Ulster Unionist Council since 22 October 1974 (West had lost his seat in that month's general election).