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17/04/2007
Ex-First Minister Trimble to join Tory party
Former Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has revealed he has joined the Conservative Party.
Lord Trimble, who led the Ulster Unionist Party for 10 years, told the BBC Radio 4 'Today' programme he was “following a long-term ambition” by joining the party.
“Now that Northern Ireland is settled, I’m free to follow what’s been an ambition for many years,” he said.
“I took this decision several months ago and held back the implementation of it so that nothing could happen in the run-up to the election.
“I am delighted to see the party come through a very serious challenge in which a very serious attempt was made to destroy it and I look forward to the party re-building.”
He added that he did not want to “rush into” taking a post in David Cameron’s Shadow Cabinet. He also played down suggestions that he had a “beady eye” on a top job.
“Actually I said to David I don’t want to be rushing into things. I don’t want to be heading in that direction.”
The Nobel Laureate added: “I think the first thing I should do is to get accustomed to their own way of doing things.”
Lord Trimble was honoured with a Nobel Peace Prize, along with SDLP's John Hume, for helping negotiate the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
He was named First Minister in 1999. However, he became involved in a prolonged battle with Sinn Fein over IRA disarmament while also fighting internal critics from his own party who demanded a tougher policy towards Sinn Fein.
In 2005, Lord Trimble stepped down as leader of the UUP after losing his Westminster seat in Upper Bann in the general election.
A formal announcement is expected to be made by Lord Trimble later today.
(JM/KMcA)
Lord Trimble, who led the Ulster Unionist Party for 10 years, told the BBC Radio 4 'Today' programme he was “following a long-term ambition” by joining the party.
“Now that Northern Ireland is settled, I’m free to follow what’s been an ambition for many years,” he said.
“I took this decision several months ago and held back the implementation of it so that nothing could happen in the run-up to the election.
“I am delighted to see the party come through a very serious challenge in which a very serious attempt was made to destroy it and I look forward to the party re-building.”
He added that he did not want to “rush into” taking a post in David Cameron’s Shadow Cabinet. He also played down suggestions that he had a “beady eye” on a top job.
“Actually I said to David I don’t want to be rushing into things. I don’t want to be heading in that direction.”
The Nobel Laureate added: “I think the first thing I should do is to get accustomed to their own way of doing things.”
Lord Trimble was honoured with a Nobel Peace Prize, along with SDLP's John Hume, for helping negotiate the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
He was named First Minister in 1999. However, he became involved in a prolonged battle with Sinn Fein over IRA disarmament while also fighting internal critics from his own party who demanded a tougher policy towards Sinn Fein.
In 2005, Lord Trimble stepped down as leader of the UUP after losing his Westminster seat in Upper Bann in the general election.
A formal announcement is expected to be made by Lord Trimble later today.
(JM/KMcA)
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