The Ulster Unionist Party's executive met for over three hours yesterday to discuss proposals aimed at a fundamental overhaul of the party's constitution.
Issues under review included the abolition of block votes exercised in the party's ruling council by groups such as the Orange Order, the Young Unionists and the Women's Unionist Council.
The meeting was described as "constructive" by the anti-Belfast Agreement MP, Mr William Ross. Mr Ross was reported to have put forward proposals aimed at maintaining the UUP's links with the Orange Order, but would not comment on them.
"We did not get as far as discussing our position vis-a-vis the Orange Order, which will be the first item on the agenda when we meet again in September," he said. "However, a lot of other issues were discussed. Let's not forget we are completely rewriting the party's rules. That cannot be done in one day."
Mr Ross said he had strong objections to proposals which would leave the Orange Order "out of the equation in our party", adding: "the present system has worked pretty well, by and large. I do think we should get a clear definition of who exactly our members are but beyond that, I don't see us changing direction that much at all."
There had been no proposals to make it more difficult to call a meeting of the 860-strong Ulster Unionist Council, Mr Ross added. Only 60 votes are necessary to call a UUC meeting, four of which were called in recent months, a fact that according to commentators has undermined Mr David Trimble's position as party leader.
A party executive member and senior figure in the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Mr David McNarry, said progress had been made and executive members would be examining a draft document before meeting for further discussions in the autumn.