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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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Lord Trimble 'Graduates'
The former Ulster Unionist Leader and original First Minister of Northern Ireland, David Trimble is being honoured by a Scottish university today. David Trimble - now Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey - will be awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
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21 September 2004
UUP leader's wife to stand in Lagan Valley
The wife of Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble is set to stand as a UUP candidate for Lagan Valley. Daphne Trimble said she wanted to contest the seat, which is currently held by former UUP stalwart Jeffrey Donaldson, because it was a traditional "Ulster Unionist seat and the people have always been represented by Ulster Unionists".
UUP leader's wife to stand in Lagan Valley
The wife of Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble is set to stand as a UUP candidate for Lagan Valley. Daphne Trimble said she wanted to contest the seat, which is currently held by former UUP stalwart Jeffrey Donaldson, because it was a traditional "Ulster Unionist seat and the people have always been represented by Ulster Unionists".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
