No-one will ever be able to fill his boots. But the hunt is on for the DUP
dude to replace the Rev Ian Paisley in Europe.
His decision not to stand again has transformed what would be a very boring
election countdown into a much more interesting affair. Over the next few
weeks, the lads - and possibly lassies - will line up for what seems an open
race.
There is an apparent front-runner, a few old favourites, and a dark horse.
Ian jnr reportedly heads the field. "'Paisley for Europe' has a ring to
it," he says.
But young Ian is known to enjoy a bit of mischief. Colleagues suggest he is
just teasing the speculators. His feet are firmly planted in North Antrim.
He has devoted the past 15 years to working in the constituency and building
his profile to take over from his father. He is unlikely to change course
now.
Nigel Dodds is the DUP's natural candidate. High-profile, intelligent and
articulate, he has the qualities necessary. He was Paisley's Strasbourg
assistant.
Many DUPers regard the European Parliament as monotonous - somewhere days
are spent deciding on equality of bathing water. But Dodds seems to
genuinely like the place.
He is said to be considering his options. But is he likely to give up
Westminster and would the DUP let him? North Belfast has a growing
nationalist population. Without a strong DUP candidate, and with a further
collapse of the SDLP vote, Sinn Féin might be in with a shout for the seat.
The Westminster commitments of Gregory Campbell, Jeffrey Donaldson, and the
Robinsons rule them out of the European race. Sammy Wilson is odds-on to be
the next East Antrim MP, and David Simpson's heart is said to lie in trying
to cause an upset in Upper Bann.
He hasn't said a word but the Rev Willie McCrea is reportedly very
interested in Strasbourg. Despite his years of service, there seems to be a
reluctance among some party insiders.
"A decent man, a fine singer but not the right candidate," says one. Some
argue that McCrea couldn't build on the DUP vote by appealing beyond the
hard-core.
There is criticism that, in the Assembly elections, he didn't stand in South
Antrim - where the party retains Westminster hopes - but returned to his
Mid-Ulster home turf. The Free Presbyterian minister might have very
different ideas about his potential though.
The DUP's dark horse is party chairman Maurice Morrow. So far he hasn't set
the world on fire and he lacks province-wide profile. But some believe the
party's slick media machine could change that.
Morrow is a safe pair of hands. He has worked hard on farming issues and has
no chance of ever being MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Other potential
runners - particularly if the party stands two candidates - are Diane Dodds
and Arlene Foster.
Dodds has impressed many since her Assembly win, although a bit longer in
office might be required. Foster too is an attractive candidate. Joining the
party only this month both helps and hinders her. Some members feel it would
send out a very positive message to discontented Ulster Unionists - join the
DUP and you get a chance. Others might be reluctant to back so recent a
recruit.
But whoever is chosen, the DUP will never find another Dr Paisley. No matter
what you think of his politics, for character and colour, warmth and wit, he
is irreplaceable.
Some of us who support Sunday rugby and racing, enjoy a fair few glasses of
the Devil's butter-milk, and find line-dancing a very tame activity indeed,
still value him. And we suspect, deep down, the Big Man has a sneaking
regard for 'sinners' like us.
