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08/03/2002
Hardliners quiet in run-up to Ulster Unionist Council
Unlike previous years, the UUP are presenting a united front in the build up to this year's Ulster Unionist Council on Saturday March 9.
Ulster Unionist Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt, a strong supporter of Mr Trimble, said he was hopeful of greater unity in the party when the ruling council meets on Saturday.
Mr Nesbitt said: "I believe there is a recognition of the reality of what David Trimble is trying to do and the difficulty of the job. And there is also a recognition among all of us that the government is not playing fair by us - quite the reverse."
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said delegates should focus on the policies rather than on the personalities. He also urged unionists to maintain the pressure on republicans and loyalist paramilitaries.
"I think there is a recognition that simply moving personalities around isn't going to change the nature of the problem that we face," he said.
There has been comparatively little speculation on the future of David Trimble's leadership and the substance of his policies within the party. A DUP–led motion to exclude Sinn Fein from the assembly, and timed to cause embarrassment to pro-agreement Trimble, failed to put any real pressure on the first minister.
The policing debate should present few pitfalls for the UUP leader as supporters will take comfort from the fact that the ombudsman recommendations over the PSNI's Omagh investigation were largely abandoned by the Policing Board.
Mr Nesbitt's call for internal unity came two days after fellow minister Sir Reg Empey's plea for a united front within the unionist family in the face of what he called "republican success". Sir Reg's broad plea for unity was effectively re-issuing by Nesbitt to party members.
Mr Trimble has long faced criticism from a hardline section of his party opposed to the Good Friday agreement. However, he has only had to face a direct challenge once before when South Belfast MP and current president of the party stood against Trimble at the council meeting in 2000. In the run up to the election, Rev. Martin Smyth claimed to have the support of six of the party's then 10 MPs, and half of the 858 party delegates.
Senior party members have said Mr Trimble is not expected to face a leadership challenge this year. However, the perennial problems of decommissioning and the terrorist amnesty could yet pose problems for the leader on Saturday.
(GMcG)
Ulster Unionist Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt, a strong supporter of Mr Trimble, said he was hopeful of greater unity in the party when the ruling council meets on Saturday.
Mr Nesbitt said: "I believe there is a recognition of the reality of what David Trimble is trying to do and the difficulty of the job. And there is also a recognition among all of us that the government is not playing fair by us - quite the reverse."
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said delegates should focus on the policies rather than on the personalities. He also urged unionists to maintain the pressure on republicans and loyalist paramilitaries.
"I think there is a recognition that simply moving personalities around isn't going to change the nature of the problem that we face," he said.
There has been comparatively little speculation on the future of David Trimble's leadership and the substance of his policies within the party. A DUP–led motion to exclude Sinn Fein from the assembly, and timed to cause embarrassment to pro-agreement Trimble, failed to put any real pressure on the first minister.
The policing debate should present few pitfalls for the UUP leader as supporters will take comfort from the fact that the ombudsman recommendations over the PSNI's Omagh investigation were largely abandoned by the Policing Board.
Mr Nesbitt's call for internal unity came two days after fellow minister Sir Reg Empey's plea for a united front within the unionist family in the face of what he called "republican success". Sir Reg's broad plea for unity was effectively re-issuing by Nesbitt to party members.
Mr Trimble has long faced criticism from a hardline section of his party opposed to the Good Friday agreement. However, he has only had to face a direct challenge once before when South Belfast MP and current president of the party stood against Trimble at the council meeting in 2000. In the run up to the election, Rev. Martin Smyth claimed to have the support of six of the party's then 10 MPs, and half of the 858 party delegates.
Senior party members have said Mr Trimble is not expected to face a leadership challenge this year. However, the perennial problems of decommissioning and the terrorist amnesty could yet pose problems for the leader on Saturday.
(GMcG)
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Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has announced the resignation of the three UUP ministers in the Northern Ireland’s power sharing executive. Mr Trimble made the announcement at Stormont around 4pm on Thursday October 18. He said that resignation letters from all ministers had been lodged and would take effect as of midnight tonight.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
