Trimble 'faces risk of new leadership challenge'
David Trimble could face a fresh challenge for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party from disillusioned former supporters, it was claimed today.
Heightening unease over his handling of the peace process has already led to private talks involving members once loyal to him, party sources said.
Unless Mr Trimble stood down, moves would begin to force him out, one warned.
He said: “It’s only a question of tactics. Trimble will either go quietly or he will have to be pushed.”
Mr Trimble has been under intense pressure because of opposition to the Good Friday Agreement, which forced British Prime Minister Tony Blair to suspend new elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly earlier this year.
London is considering calling a poll in the autumn, but those who backed Mr Trimble’s entry into a power-sharing arrangement with nationalist and republicans were turning against him in growing numbers, sources said.
Fears that the party would suffer heavy losses if the government pushed ahead with autumn elections has prompted the latest moves against Mr Trimble, who held off a challenge by one of his MPs, the Rev Martin Smyth, now party president, before the last general election.
Those involved in discussions are expected to voice their concerns when the UUP leader returns from his summer break at the end of August.
A pro-Agreement former Assembly member confirmed that there was increasing concern at the way the party was being led.
He said: “No-one is using the word ‘oust’ but there is concern that we are in a very serious situation.
"If the government moves towards an election in the autumn it obviously puts the party in a difficult position. That is what is focusing minds.
“The feeling is that unless Trimble can bring the wheel back under control, we might look around for another person.”
Ever since the Good Friday Agreement was signed in April 1998, Mr Trimble has had to deal with hard-line opposition from many senior party members, including the Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, over claims that the process had led to too many concessions to republicans.
Last month, the rift threatened to split the party apart as Mr Donaldson, Mr Smyth and a third MP, David Burnside, resigned the whip at Westminster in protest at the leadership’s refusal to reject outright the Irish and British governments’ Joint Declaration aimed at restoring devolved government.
Party officers meet in two weeks time to decide whether to refer the issue to a disciplinary committee.
But it is increasing disenchantment among pro-Agreement members that could pose an even greater threat to Mr Trimble’s position.
The former MLA added that if there were no moves before an election to bring an end to all paramilitary activity, Mr Trimble’s position could become untenable.
“People are saying that if the boss is going to save the situation he is going to have to pull a very large rabbit out of the hat.
“Some of those people who were very strongly pro-David Trimble are saying now that they are pro-party. Whether he is being kept briefed of the feelings within the party, I don’t know.”
The source said former Stormont Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey was regarded by the pro-Agreement party members as the best candidate to take over as leader, adding: “But Sir Reg is showing no indication of any willingness to jump and grab the tiller and steady the party prior to an election.”
