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08/07/2003
Trimble faces vote of no confidence in Tuesday meeting
David Trimble tonight faces a vote of no confidence in his position of MP for Upper Bann as unionists gather to discuss the issue in a meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening.
The meeting follows last month's move by dissident unionists within the Ulster Unionist Party who raised 30 signatures for a motion of no confidence in Mr Trimble. It is not expected that rebel unionists will win the vote, but tonight's events could represent another setback for the party leader, whose parliamentary majority dropped dramatically at the count of the last election.
On Monday, the High Court in Belfast has ruled that the recent suspension of three Ulster Unionist MPs from the party was invalid. Jeffrey Donaldson, the Rev Martin Smyth and David Burnside had their membership of the Ulster Unionist Party suspended on Friday 27 June after they resigned the party whip at Westminster in protest at Mr Trimble's stance on the British-Irish Joint Declaration.
At the time of their resignation, the three men said it was clear "that the leadership of our party does not represent, and cannot speak for, a growing majority of unionists and has comprehensively failed to address their concerns".
Former assembly member George Savage has been tipped as the most likely replacement as MP for Upper Bann, coming first in last year's selection process for assembly elections, so it remains to be seen if Mr Trimble can still summon the support of a party which seems unable to make sense of its internal differences.
(CL)
The meeting follows last month's move by dissident unionists within the Ulster Unionist Party who raised 30 signatures for a motion of no confidence in Mr Trimble. It is not expected that rebel unionists will win the vote, but tonight's events could represent another setback for the party leader, whose parliamentary majority dropped dramatically at the count of the last election.
On Monday, the High Court in Belfast has ruled that the recent suspension of three Ulster Unionist MPs from the party was invalid. Jeffrey Donaldson, the Rev Martin Smyth and David Burnside had their membership of the Ulster Unionist Party suspended on Friday 27 June after they resigned the party whip at Westminster in protest at Mr Trimble's stance on the British-Irish Joint Declaration.
At the time of their resignation, the three men said it was clear "that the leadership of our party does not represent, and cannot speak for, a growing majority of unionists and has comprehensively failed to address their concerns".
Former assembly member George Savage has been tipped as the most likely replacement as MP for Upper Bann, coming first in last year's selection process for assembly elections, so it remains to be seen if Mr Trimble can still summon the support of a party which seems unable to make sense of its internal differences.
(CL)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
