David Trimble
David Trimble
William David Trimble, Baron Trimble, PC, is a British politician who was the first First Minister of Northern Ireland from 1998 to 2002, and the leader of the Ulster Unionist Partyfrom 1995 to 2005. He was also the Member of Parliament for Upper Bann from 1990 to 2005 and the Member of the Legislative Assemblyfor Upper Bann from 1998 to 2007. In 2006, he was made a life peer in the House of Lords and a year later left the...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth15 October 1944
CityBangor, Northern Ireland
CountryIreland
It will kill off this issue for a generation. I am quite sure the result would be an overwhelming endorsement of the Union.
It may seem strange that we receive the reward of a race run while the race is still not quite finished.
It was a 'nearly' statement that got close to saying what needed to be said.
It is patently obvious that those promises must be delivered, ... Let there be absolutely no doubt that I and my colleagues will hold republicans to the promises they have made. If there is any foot-dragging, there will be difficulties.
Each of these steps takes a little bit of time, but we've made the significant step today at getting the process started, ... We've agreed on a program of work and indeed on the next meeting in this format which will be in June.
It really boils down to the question: Are they actually prepared to do anything?
This clears the way for the transfer of power from London to the Assembly.
This clears the stalemate we have had in terms of process,
ready to carry out their side of the agreement.
I am pleased to have had the privilege of leading what I regard as the best and most democratic political grouping in Ulster
It was made clear to Sinn Fein again and again and again that this experiment, this risk that we were taking, would be time-limited and would not run beyond the end of January.
An attempt to form the executive without decommissioning (disarming) will lead to a loss of confidence among the Unionist community to such an extent that the executive so-formed would not survive,
The important thing is that we get the matter resolved in a way that enables both sides to feel that their rights have been vindicated.
The IRA weren't getting what they wanted out of the talks. This is their response.