British election - Trimble’s resignation inevitable

It was a dignified, if somewhat inglorious, exit which David Trimble made from Northern Ireland’s mainstream political arena, having led his Ulster Unionist Party into an electoral wasteland in last week’s Westminster elections.

His resignation as leader was inevitable, having lost his own seat and seen his party’s representation in the Commons decimated to the extent it now has only one.

Trimble’s contribution to the peace process was significant and showed courage by leading the UUP party into government on three occasions with Sinn Féin.