David Trimble - R.I.P

Former First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party David Trimble has passed away at the age of 77.

Condolences to family and friends.

Indeed so! Sad news, and somewhat of a surprise, as I - at least - was unaware that he was ill. Maybe not the most popular of political figures, but we in NI are only too keenly aware of the extent to which he (and J Hume/M McGuinness) went out on a limb to see us to a better and brighter future. To say he took risks is a gross understatement - risks which in many ways cost him and the UUP dear.

There will be many blinkered views from people who will see his history in only one dimension i.e Drumcree/Anglo Irish Agreement opposition - (I opposed it also btw), but he saw that things were getting so bad at the time with tit - for - tat violence (again as did J Hume - I will never forget his particular outward sign of despair at attending yet another funeral) that he reached a point of 'enough is enough'

One could reasonably argue that the UUP's demise was precipitated by his actions, but that was a relatively small price to pay! I know that the 'Big Man' also played an important role in the end but make no mistake, I do not believe that he would have ever been likely to 'get the ball rolling'

I think there will be many in politics this side of the Irish Sea who will be grateful for the part he he played in brokering the Agreement.