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
The dark shadow we seem to see in the distance is not really a mountain ahead, but the shadow of the mountain behind - a shadow from the past thrown forward into our future. It is a dark sludge of historical sectarianism. We can leave it behind us if we wish.
The one thing I can assure you is that I'm not going to do a Prescott.
There is no doubt that there are people in the republican movement who have been guilty of breaches of the ceasefire,
We're glad to see that the IRA has taken a significant step towards decommissioning but it hasn't actually begun decommissioning. And of course we want to see that happen.
It may seem strange that we receive the reward of a race run while the race is still not quite finished.
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.
He has got to create confidence ... in Northern Ireland that the law will be observed and will be enforced, and when republicans are found to be behaving in a way that is contrary to their undertakings, that he will act.
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.
had not been seen in the talks before.
We want to ensure that nothing is imposed upon the people here, that their consent is paramount.
There are two traditions in Northern Ireland. There are two main religious denominations. But there is only one true moral denomination. And it wants peace.
As we take stock of this century of achievement, Ulster Unionists have every reason to feel proud.
Politics can be likened to driving at night over unfamiliar hills and mountains. Close attention must be paid to what the beam can reach and the next bend.