The Five Demands

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Il leader fondatore del Democratic Unionist Party tira i remi in barca a rinuncia alla difesa della sua poltrona a Westminster

Ian Paisley, 83 anni, fondatore del DUP ha annunciato che non concorrerà nelle elezioni di Westminster per difendere la sua sede di North Antrim.
Il suo successore dovrebbe essere scelto la prossima settimana, anche se pare probabile che a subentrargli possa essere il figlio Ian Paisley Jr.
Il capostipide Ian Paisley era salito alla cronaca nei giorni scorsi, dichiarando che l’esecutivo dovrebbe fare di più se solo Peter Robinson volesse adeguare il suo rapporto con il vice primo ministro a quella che fu la collaborazione tra Ian Paisley e Martin McGuinness quando, nel 2007, si insediarono a Stormont.
Jim Allister (TUV) non è stato sopreso dalla decisione di Paisley, ritenuta ovvia per uno che una volta era schierato in difesa dell’unionismo tradizionale.
Omaggi all’operato di Paisley, da più parti. “Paisley ha servito il popolo di North Antrim come membro del Parlamento per la maggior parte della sua vita adulta. Durante questo periodo egli ha contribuito a persone provenienti da ogni angolo circoscrizione e da ogni contesto. Egli merita il nostro ringraziamento per gli anni di servizio e di sacrificio”, ha dichiarato Mervyn Storey, suo collega di partito.
“Ian Paisley ha una reputazione molto significativa in quanto rappresentante del popolo di North Antrim. Nonostante tutte le polemiche raccolte nei suoi primi vita politica, ha lavorato per gli individui, indipendentemente dalle origini. La notizia che ha intenzione di dimettersi dalla carica di deputato per la circoscrizione, segna davvero la fine di un’epoca. Il suo successore avrà un esempio difficile da seguire”, ha affermato David Ford (Alliance Party).

L’eredità del Reverendo

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Ian Paisley to step down as MP (Newsletter)
IAN Paisley will not be seeking re-election at the forthcoming Westminster election.
Speaking to a weekly Ballymena newspaper, the 83-year-old confirmed he will not be defending the North Antrim seat he has held successfully since 1970.
Despite having obtaining a majority of approximately 18,000 votes in the 2005 election, the former First Minister and DUP leader was widely expected to stand down as a Westminster MP.
There is speculation that his son, Ian Paisley Jnr, will run as his father’s replacement where he will face TUV leader Jim Allister in a widely anticipated battle of the current mood within unionism.
The North Antrim DUP constituency association will meet next week to formally select Dr Paisley’s successor.
In an in-depth interview with the News Letter last week, Mr Paisley declined to comment on his political future.
However, the former First Minister who shocked political observers when he went into government with Sinn Fein in 2007, said the Executive could achieve more if there was a better relationship between Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.
Reacting to the news that Mr Paisley would not be seeking re-election in North Antrim, TUV leader Jim Allister said he was not surprised at his former party leader’s decison.
“Whatever his achievements in earlier years as a towering parliamentarian, in this parliament he was not giving North Antrim the voice it needed, turning up for only 18 per cent of the votes,” he said.
“For one who once championed traditional unionism – with such colourful pledges as Sinn Fein only getting into government over his dead body – sadly his abiding legacy will be of bequeathing Ulster terrorist -inclusive government. This legacy will inevitably be an issue at the polls.”
Paying tribute to Dr Paisley’s public service, North Antrim party colleague Mervyn Storey said: “Dr Paisley served the people of North Antrim as their Member of Parliament for the majority of his adult life. During that time he has helped people from every corner of the constituency and from every background.
“He deserves our thanks for the years of service and sacrifice.”
Alliance leader David Ford said: “Ian Paisley has a very significant reputation as a representative of the people of North Antrim. Despite all the controversies of his early political life, he worked for individuals regardless of their background.
“The news that he intends to step down as MP for the constituency really does mark the end of an era. His successor will have a hard act to follow.”