Current UUP leader Doug Beattie praised Trimble as “man of courage and vision,” a tribute echoed by leaders from across the political divide. The UUP was Northern Ireland’s largest Protestant unionist party when, led by Trimble, it agreed to the Good Friday peace accord. Former British Prime Minister John Major said Trimble’s “brave and principled change of policy” was critical to peace in Northern Ireland. Many in Northern Ireland grew tired of Trimble and his colleagues, who appeared to be too moderate and compromising. Northern Ireland power-sharing has gone through many crises since then — but the peace settlement has largely endured.

Source: The Herald July 25, 2022 19:41 UTC