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 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.
In the future there cannot be room for ambiguity. They have to make their position absolutely clear before they can expect anyone to respond to it.
The debate revealed that the differences between us were tactical. They made clear that they are committed to an assembly on a cross community basis.
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,
I must make it clear that the calling of the meeting does not mean that we have committed ourselves to endorsing any set of proposals.
The fog is clearing, and as it clears we see that the Ulster Party will be the largest party in the assembly, that the determined assault made upon us by the DUP and its allies has failed.
We will of course be reflecting on all of the things that have been said in the debate and carrying through the tactics that have been outlined,
The prisoner releases are a difficult aspect of the situation.
ready to carry out their side of the agreement.
We have done our bit, Mr. Adams. It is over to you. We have jumped. You follow.
We have done and will continue to do everything we can to maximize the opportunity that's here for people. I hope we've gone over the Rubicon this time.
very interesting. It does appear to break new ground. There are some quite positive elements in it.
There have been problems, no doubt about it.