Well well well. We have a result in the ‘let’s dump Trimble’ campaign – or do we? Today three out of the UUP six Westminster MPs called an early morning Press Conference to announce that although they have decided to stay in the party, they will refuse the party whip. Update: In an indication that this was a surprise move, Trimble has cancelled his planned visit Bertie Ahern.
On the face of it, this represents a delicious torture for Trimble. They haven’t gone as such and allowed themselves to take the risk of entering the political wilderness, but they are now officially out of the control of the leader. Trimble is back in the nightmare situation of actually being in charge only just over one half of the party.
It will be interesting to see if he and his advisors to return to Alex Kane’s list of options he published at the outset of this campaign.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
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