Women's Coalition may re-designate as unionists

The Women’s Coalition has suggested that it might designate itself as a unionist party to help UUP leader David Trimble get re-elected as the North’s First Minister on Friday.

Mr Trimble appears to be having trouble securing 50% support from the unionist parties, particularly after his anti-agreement UUP colleagues Pauline Armitage and Peter Weir said they will not vote for him.

Mr Trimble needs 50% support from both the unionist and nationalist politicians to be reinstated as First Minister.

When he was originally elected First Minister, Mr Trimble was just two votes beyond the 50% mark within the unionist benches.

However, it looks like he will need help this time around, with the DUP and some UUP dissidents attempting to block the workings of the Northern Assembly because they believe the details of IRA decommissioning are too vague.

The Women’s Coalition has said it will designate itself as a unionist party to save the Good Friday Agreement and to prevent fresh Assembly elections, which could bring further instability.