Trimble faces uphill battle to win support
Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble faces an uphill battle later today to win a convincing vote of support.
The future of the Assembly and the power-sharing executive could hang in the balance at today’s meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council.
This is the ninth time since Trimble was elected leader that he has had to call for support from wavering members of his party’s ruling council.
Today, as before, he will be trying to tread a difficult line between pulling out of power-sharing with Sinn Féin while appearing to toughen his line.
Yesterday he ended a meeting with his chief critic, Jeffrey Donaldson, without reaching agreement on a compromise.
However, because it was Mr Trimble who requested that meeting, it is being seen by the hardliners as a sign of weakness.
Both Mr Trimble and Mr Donaldson have sent letters to council members asking for their support, although they have yet to say publicly what they are proposing.
