16/11/2001

Trimble bids to quell unrest in party

Ulster Unionist leaders are to attempt to convince the party’s hard line members not to call a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party’s ruling council.

At the party’s Glengall Street headquarters in Belfast, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader David Trimble met with assembly members, party officers and constituency association representatives in a bid to quell growing unrest in the party and persuade them that there is no basis on which to call a meeting of the party council.

It is thought that top of the agenda is a means by which the UUP could extricate itself from the Executive should IRA decommissioning fail to be verifiably completed.

Currently there are sufficient signatories for a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council to be called, and a petition has already been lodged to hold a meeting on December 1.

Mr Trimble has recently been able to convince the council to support his policies, though his support in the wider party has eroded slightly.

Party members in both the pro-Agreement and anti-Agreement camps think it unlikely that Mr Trimble would be successful in heading off a full meeting of the council.

Last week’s closely fought vote for the appointments of the First and Deputy First Minister only just managed to achieve the quorum required in the overall Unionist vote when the Alliance Party were allowed to be temporarily redesignated as Unionist. (SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 November 2024
Consumer Council Advice On Online Shopping Rights
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, consumers in Northern Ireland are gearing up for a flurry of online shopping. While many retailers have already started offering deals, concerns about potential delivery issues such as delays, lost parcels, and damaged goods are on the rise.
15 November 2024
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
10 October 2003
Rebel MP's set to retake whip
The Ulster Unionist Party's three rebel MP's are set to retake the party whip next week. Jeffrey Donaldson, David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth are said to have discussed the matter privately at a special meeting.
09 December 2002
Trimble fends off Tory ambition speculation
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has rebuffed suggestions that he is eyeing up the leadership of the Conservative Party and spoken of his desire to see closer links between the Tories and his party.
03 January 2007
Former UUP MP dies aged 81
Former Ulster Unionist MP Cecil Walker has died today after suffering a heart attack. The MP for north Belfast between 1983 and 2001, Sir Cecil lost his seat to the DUP's Nigel Dodds. Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said: “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Walker family at this sad time.