Trimble appeals for party unity

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has made a call for unity within the party at the annual party conference held at the weekend.

Warning against internal strife in the party, Mr Trimble said that despite all efforts to the contrary certain elements within the party who he described as “destructive” had sought to oppose the leadership of the party. He warned that people would not vote for a divided party, but they would vote for a party that had control of its own policies and which worked as a team. He said the two members of the party who had defied the party executive had “enjoyed their moment of fame”.

He said: “We cannot continue in this selfish and self-destructive manner: when we should be celebrating a victory, when we should be preparing policies of government for our people, we are thrown into an internal conflict. More bitter words will be spoken – over what?”

Mr Trimble said that the “supposed issues” were just “matters of tactics and timing” and he blamed manipulation that did not serve the interest of the party.

Applauded when he said that decommissioning had commenced, Mr Trimble said that there must be a realistic date for full implementation, and asked for the matter to be left in hands of General John de Chastelain the head of the arms decommissioning body.

Looking forward to the next Assembly election Mr Trimble said that by then the people would have judged whether or not their lives and the situation in the province had improved. (SP)