Paisley to step down

Former Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley will not seek re-election in the forthcoming general election, it was revealed today.

The 83-year-old founder and ex-leader of the Democratic Unionist Party is to relinquish the North Antrim seat he first won in 1970.

His decision could open the way for his son, Ian Paisley Jnr, to stand as the DUP’s candidate in the constituency.

The contest is expected to be a tight one, with the leader of the hardline Traditional Unionist Voice party, Jim Allister, having already announced his intention to run in North Antrim.

Mr Paisley announced his decision to stand down in his local constituency paper, the Ballymena Guardian.

The DUP will officially select its Westminster candidate for the North Antrim seat next week.

Ian Paisley Jnr confirmed his father would be standing down.

“I would want to pay tribute to the fantastic role my father has played as a Member of Parliament for the last 40 years,” he said.

Famed for his firebrand oratory, Mr Paisley was a founding member of the Free Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1951. His evangelical theology heavily influenced his political views and throughout the Troubles he forthrightly denounced Catholicism and the papacy.

During the conflict he was a fierce critic of power-sharing with nationalists and of the Republic of Ireland having a say in the North’s affairs.

But in his later political life, the one-time cheer-leader for hardline unionism underwent somewhat of a political conversion which finally saw him enter office with his long-time enemy, Sinn Féin.

His decision to accept the position of First Minister alongside Deputy First Minister and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness in 2007 saw him hailed as a peacemaker by moderates but criticised by many former followers who accused him of betraying Ulster.

What proved almost more remarkable was the warmth of the relationship the two erstwhile foes developed during their year in officer together, leading some to dub them the “Chuckle Brothers”.

Mr Paisley stood down as First Minister in 2008. He was replaced by his long-time DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson.

Mr Paisley told the Ballymena Guardian it had been a privilege to represent the area but it was time for a new generation of politicians to build on his legacy.

“I have no doubt the people of North Antrim will again support the DUP at the next election,” he said.

Reflecting on his political career, he said he had “no regrets” about the landmark decision to go into power with Sinn Féin three years ago.

“After a period of tough negotiations it was my view that, provided our conditions were met, the overwhelming majority of the people of Northern Ireland wanted me to do the deal, it was as simple as that.”

Mr Paisley said he was unhappy that some DUP members, including Mr Allister, left the party in the wake of the move, but insisted he had made the right choice.

“I am sad that some people walked away but I believe I showed the leadership required to get the best possible deal in the circumstances,” he added.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward described Mr Paisley as a giant figure in politics over four decades.

“He is a remarkable figure whose politics are born from the deepest principles and most fervently held conviction and who not only contributed to debate but often dominated it,” he said.

“His decision to share government with Sinn Féin and to work as First Minister with Martin McGuiness as Deputy First Minister sent a beacon of optimism around the world.

“Stormont and Westminster alike will miss his immense character and personality.”

His son’s likely opponent in the upcoming campaign, Mr Allister, had a different view of his contribution.

“For one who once championed traditional unionism – with such colourful pledges as Sinn Féin only getting into government over his dead body – sadly his abiding legacy will be of bequeathing Ulster terrorist-inclusive government,” he said.

“This legacy will inevitably be an issue at the polls.”

Mr Paisley’s fellow North Antrim Assembly member, Mervyn Storey, had been talked of as another potential successor to his Westminster seat, but today he ruled himself out, effectively opening the way for Mr Paisley Jnr.

“It has been my privilege to have served alongside of Dr Paisley in recent years,” Mr Storey said.

“People used to try to insult us in the DUP by calling us ’Paisleyites’. They didn’t realise it, but they were paying us a compliment.

“This confirmed Paisleyite has no hesitation in saying that Ian Paisley has been both a great man and a great servant to North Antrim, unionism and Ulster.

“He deserves our thanks for the years of service and sacrifice.”