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18/06/2003
Donaldson no confidence motion dropped
The constituency association of Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson have withdrawn their motion of no confidence in the senior Ulster Unionist member in the "interests of party unity".
It leaves the way clear for a final decision from Mr Donaldson on whether or not to remain within the party.
Mr Donaldson said the vote of no confidence had been called because his opponents did not believe it would be carried.
However, he now faces the enviable task of living up to statements made before Monday's vote in which he declared his intention to seriously consider his future within the UUP if his motion to reject the party's stance on the British-Irish Joint Declaration was defeated. That motion was defeated by 440 votes to 369.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble, has already appealed to Mr Donaldson and his supporters to stay in the party and on Wednesday, in his first interview since the council meeting, said those in opposition should accept the democratic decision and support party policy.
Mr Donaldson has already been invited to join anti-agreement DUP. Ian Paisley's party would certainly see his acquisition as another nail in the coffin for the future of the UUP as the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland.
In the meantime, Jeffrey Donaldson is likely to take a few more days in deciding his future.
(MB)
It leaves the way clear for a final decision from Mr Donaldson on whether or not to remain within the party.
Mr Donaldson said the vote of no confidence had been called because his opponents did not believe it would be carried.
However, he now faces the enviable task of living up to statements made before Monday's vote in which he declared his intention to seriously consider his future within the UUP if his motion to reject the party's stance on the British-Irish Joint Declaration was defeated. That motion was defeated by 440 votes to 369.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble, has already appealed to Mr Donaldson and his supporters to stay in the party and on Wednesday, in his first interview since the council meeting, said those in opposition should accept the democratic decision and support party policy.
Mr Donaldson has already been invited to join anti-agreement DUP. Ian Paisley's party would certainly see his acquisition as another nail in the coffin for the future of the UUP as the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland.
In the meantime, Jeffrey Donaldson is likely to take a few more days in deciding his future.
(MB)
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UUP chairman calls on rebel MP's to 'toe party line'
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UUP chairman calls on rebel MP's to 'toe party line'
The three Ulster Unionist MPs who resigned the Party whip at Westminister have been told to "toe the party line" by chairman James Cooper. Mr Cooper called on Jeffrey Donaldson, David Burnside and the Rev. Martin Smyth to obey party rules after they turned down a request to follow party orders.
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