Blair pays tribute to departing Trimble

British Prime Minister Tony Blair tonight paid warm tribute to David Trimble after he announced he was resigning as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.

The loss of Mr Trimble’s parliamentary seat at a disastrous British general election which left his party decimated by Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists and with just one MP, made his departure inevitable.

But Mr Blair said history would show that without David Trimble’s period as leader of Ulster unionism , Northern Ireland could not have become the changed place it was.

“Throughout he showed real leadership – vision, courage and a sheer dogged determination despite all the difficulties involved in the search for peace,” said Mr Blair.

Without Mr Trimble “there would have been no Belfast Agreement. It would not have been possible to bridge the deep divide in Northern Ireland,” he added.

Mr Trimble had knowingly taken political risks because he believed it was for the greater good of the whole community, said the British Prime Minister.

“As a result people’s lives are not only better, but the tragic litany of death and destruction that cast a pall over so many years is now receding into the past,” he added.

Mr Trimble announced his decision to quit after a private meeting with his party President and Chairman.

“I indicated to them that I do not wish to continue as leader,” he said afterwards in a statement.

Chairman James Cooper will set in motion the process of finding a replacement who will be elected at a meeting of the hundred strong ruling Ulster Unionist Council.

Mr Trimble said he would formally resign at that meeting.

He thanked party members for their support over his ten year leadership.

“There have been difficult times, but also times when we have been able to make a difference.

“I have no doubt that Northern Ireland is a much better place and Unionism greatly advantaged because of our efforts,” he said.

New Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain praised Mr Trimble for demonstrating “tremendous commitment and courageous leadership.”

“He brought Unionism along a new and uncharted road that led to the signing of the Belfast Agreement and, subsequently, to the initial establishment of devolved government in Northern Ireland,” he said.

He said despite facing many critics within and without the party , he had remained faithful to his beliefs and led his party with dignity.

Asked about a peace process without Mr Trimble, he said he hoped to make progress and needed to speak to the Rev Ian Paisley as soon as he could.

Locally both the Alliance Party and SDLP leaders hailed Mr Trimble’s contribution to the more peaceful Northern Ireland which, in 1998, won him a share of the Nobel Peace Prize.

David Ford of the Alliance Party said: “After the moribund years of the 80s and early 90s, David Trimble had the vision and the political courage to lead his party, and a large section of this community, to reaching the Good Friday Agreement.

“This was truly historic”.

The SDLP’s Mark Durkan said Mr Trimble deserved credit for concluding the Agreement and “reaching an historic deal with Irish nationalists as to how we can share this island together".

But he also said it was a pity that while he fought the battle within unionism for the Agreement “he never went for its wholehearted implementation".

He had been “bamboozled by Downing Street into a a process of side deals that undermined the Agreement and ultimately undermined him,” said Mr Durkan.

However Jeffrey Donaldson, the Lagan Valley MP who long battled with Mr Trimble before jumping ship 17 months ago and joining the DUP, said his resignation was inevitable.

He said Mr Trimble’s position had become untenable and he was not surprised he was going.

He said Mr Trimble had failed to recognise the shift of opinion within unionism and the growth in opposition to the Good Friday Agreement.

“He leaves a party that is in a sorry state of affairs and I cannot see where the leadership will come from to revive its fortunes,” said Mr Donaldson.