Trimble to launch UUP election manifesto

Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble was today preparing to set out hisparty's vision for devolution in Northern Ireland over…

Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble was today preparing to set out hisparty's vision for devolution in Northern Ireland over the next five years.

The Upper Bann MP was due to launch his party's 16-page Assembly electionmanifesto with just two weeks to go before polling day.

The manifesto was expected to focus on the party's 10 pledges on the peaceprocess and five promises for the next Assembly.

The Ulster Unionists are fielding 43 candidates in Northern Ireland's 18constituencies.

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Party strategists are hoping that dissident members who have been engaged in abitter feud with the leadership will be able to rally behind the manifesto.

Among those standing, who have been in conflict in leadership, are rebel MPsMr David Burnside and Mr Jeffrey Donaldson who resigned the Party whip at Westminsterin June.

The Ulster Unionist manifesto launch followed hard on the rival DemocraticUnionist manifesto which was launched by their leader the Rev Ian Paisley.