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Robinson to succeed Paisley as leader of DUP

by Maireid Sullivan | April 14, 2008 at 04:06 am

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For a long time, those of us who felt that Ian Paisley was a blundering leader of Northerin Ireland government, felt we had no hope of seeing change until after he died. We were in for a shock when his son entered politics, and proved to far worse than his father. He "simply had no manners". He didn't last long, thankfully. When 81 year old Ian Paisley announced his retirement from his position as 'absolute ruler', coming into effect next month, I was surprised. It will be interesting to see how the Finance Minister Peter Robinson succeeds in the role of First Minister of Northern Ireland. I think the political agenda has changed forever. It is no longer about sovereignty. It is becoming more about economic growth, led by the all pervasive multi-national agenda. Forget nationalism and national identity. That is the resort of peasants, after all. The new agenda is all about development and profits.

The Democratic Unionist Party has elected Peter Robinson to succeed the Rev Ian Paisley as its new leader.
The East Belfast MP was the choice of the 36-strong Assembly Group, with North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds selected as the new deputy leader.

Assembly members unanimously agreed a joint nomination of Mr Robinson (49) - Finance Minister in the Stormont Executive - and Mr Dodds, who is Economy Minister.

The party’s 120-member Executive Committee is due to formally ratify the nominations on Thursday.

It is widely regarded as extremely unlikely the Executive will reject the Assembly Group's choice.

In a statement, the DUP Assembly group said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds’ joint nomination was proposed by East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson and seconded by Stormont Environment Minister Arlene Foster.

“We are respectful that the process is not complete. Therefore DUP representatives will be making no further comment until after the executive meeting on Thursday evening," the statement said.

It is the first step towards Mr Robinson becoming Northern Ireland First Minister when Mr Paisley goes ahead with his already announced retirement next month.

Mr Robinson (49) has served as the Minister for Finance and Personnel since power sharing resumed last May. His wife Iris has been the MP for Strangford since 2001.

He has been the deputy leader of the party since 1980 and the MP for East Belfast since 1979.