Sir Reg Empey has done the first notable thing I can think of since he took over the leadership of the Ulster Unionists and called on loyalists to respond to the IRA disarmament. Sir Reg's comments were made to the BBC and came as the Ulster Unionists held their first annual conference since he took over as head of the party.

"I think a lot of them now recognise that things have moved on - times have changed. It's not possible to sustain their current position and they did say over the years that in the circumstances where the IRA were clearly moving off the field, they would respond to that positively. I think the time has come to make that response."
Sir Reg Empey, UUP Leader

I was surprised to note that he also said mainstream unionists couldn't be absolved of responsibility for some being drawn into the ranks of the paramilitaries. I don't know if it's the first time a politician has admitted this or not, but it's the first time I know of. The question now is, what do they do about it?