Speech by Mr David Trimble MP to the annual conference of the Ulster Unionist Party in Enniskillen on Saturday.
It is indeed a pleasure to be speaking to you today.
Mind you, if I had taken the advice of some of my parliamentary colleagues, I would not be here now, for had I taken their advice I would have resigned.
But, let me tell one thing about David Trimble and resignation. I have resigned myself to the long political struggle to secure the best interests of unionism and to make sure that our position within the United Kingdom is copper-fastened and to promote the benefits of the Union to all.
I will not lead this party into a never-never land of false hope or imitation Carsons without the gritty realism of Craig, nor will I court popularity by hyping solutions that I know are not attainable.
I remember when Daphne and I discussed the possible outcomes of the talks over two years ago. She predicted that I would probably obtain just enough support at each stage to go on, but that it would be a constant uphill struggle.
She was right. And we are both resigned to moving on with that dogged determination that is one of the defining characteristics of the Ulster British people.
But I must be frank with you. I am sick to death of the daily chorus of division and diatribe from some of this party's headline hunters. They are all very keen to tell me what they think is needed. Well I know what this party needs - a lot less noise and a lot more loyalty.
The Ulster Unionist Party is a broad church, but our interests are not served by a church so broad that it has several competing choirs and self-appointed preachers each with their own different gospels.
I am in favour of straight talking and a free exchange of views within the party, but membership of a political party brings with it responsibilities, paramount of which is the duty to support policies that have been endorsed by the executive and council.
It would be funny, if it were not so sad, to see the advocates of majority rule so fervent in their rejection of policies endorsed by the majority.
I say to them yes, you can continue to express your point of view. But do so within the party, and not in a TV studio. If you feel the need to attack someone publicly, then attack republicans, not Ulster Unionists.
In March of this year I was able to tell our annual general meeting that we had done all we could to complete the transition. I said, "We are ready for the transfer of power to the Assembly."
We still are. But it has not been possible to achieve this because the paramilitaries have not yet honoured their obligation under the agreement to exclusively peaceful and democratic means. They still maintain their private armies and, as Bertie Ahern said, the people did not vote in the referendums for an armed peace.
Efforts were made, unsuccessfully, at Hillsborough before Easter and at Castle Buildings in early summer, to resolve this deadlock. In July, the government produced a formula, which we judged was flawed, and events proved our judgment to have been right.
Some repeatedly predicted that we would collapse in face of the hideous pressure that would be brought to bear on us. Would they please note, the Ulster Unionist Assembly Party coolly made its own assessment, made its own decision and stuck to it.
Do not be misled by those spreading alarm and despondency. Our position has not changed. We want devolution. We want decommissioning. To me the words "jump together", "choreography" and "sequencing" all refer to the same thing, namely the procedures by which we make sure that devolution is accompanied by decommissioning.
Before and after July, the man and woman in the street has repeatedly said two things to me which I can sum up in six words: "Don't give up. Don't give in."
We did not "give in" in July. The motion carried on the proposal of the assembly party shows that we will not give in in the future. Equally, we will not give up. We will not give up on what we are trying to achieve.
We should remind ourselves of what it is that we are trying to achieve. A peaceful, fair and democratic Northern Ireland. Free from bomb, bullet or baseball bat. Our people at ease with themselves and their neighbours, no longer obsessed with the constitutional issue - for it has been solved. The consent principle recognised. Formal acceptance of the legitimacy of our place within the Union. Greater certainty and stability than at any time in this century. Democratic accountability restored.
Where Northern Ireland is administered by its people. Where common problems are tackled together. Where the talents of all our people are fully realised. Where unionists are respected - where nationalists are respected. Where our children can see a future worth staying for.
All this is worth the effort, worth shouldering the burden, knowing that it can be done, kno wing that if it were left to others it would never be done; knowing it is our opportunity and responsibility to build a better future.
Already we see glimpses of what can be done.
Despite the problems for manufacturing from the high level of sterling, we still have excellent economic prospects. Let me give a couple of examples. Nortel Networks - one of the jewels in our crown. Their plant at Monkstown chosen as one of seven centres of excellence throughout the world.
Further investment is planned which could raise the output to some 3 billion per annum. Computer software - in the last four years employment has risen from 3,000 to 8,000.
In each of the last three years turnover has risen by around 100 per cent. A few weeks ago I opened a centre in east Belfast where a joint ICL/Microsoft venture is employing 225 on software solutions.
I wish the media would give more time to these good news stories.
That night the Police Authority held its annual meeting. Twenty Sinn Feiners staged a protest inside for a few minutes and left. That was well reported. The mention of ICL/Microsoft was fleeting. It did not even appear on the Ceefax headlines.
When will the media, particularly BBC Northern Ireland, get away from its relentless negativity that only encourages such wrongdoers and demoralises the wider community?
There is one industry where the prospects are really poor. Agriculture. There is little that the local Department can do. But when the new Welsh and Scottish administrations flexed their muscles MAFF [Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food] responded. True, there was not much new money but it made a point - devolution can matter.
Unfortunately we are still on the sidelines.