A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) meeting last night unanimously selected Ian Paisley jnr to fight for the North Antrim seat that his 83-year-old father has held for 40 years.
The Rev Ian Paisley, who is stepping down as an MP passed the political torch to his son, with their party pledging that his son would also fight “Dublin rule” if elected to Westminster.
The move sets up a bruising political contest between Mr Paisley and the leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice Jim Allister who has emerged as the new hardline voice of unionism since the DUP decided to share power with Sinn Féin.
Last night the DUP leader Peter Robinson said: “Selecting a successor to a towering and iconic political figure like Dr Paisley was never going to be easy, but in selecting Ian, I believe the members in North Antrim have picked someone with a strong track record of hard work for his constituents.
“Ian has proven over more than 14 years in front-line politics that he has the stamina, skill and determination to deliver for the people of North Antrim," he said. “I look forward to fighting alongside Ian in this election to ensure that North Antrim is retained by a unionist who will fight for his constituents and never condemn them to unaccountable Dublin rule.”
Ms Paisley jnr, who is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he had been a longtime political representative for north Antrim in his own right and looked forward to the fresh opportunity.
“It is a great honour to have been chosen by my party colleagues to contest this important election for the community,” he said.
“For the last 14 years I have been working full-time for the people of North Antrim. I have helped thousands of my constituents on a wide range of issues from benefits, education, healthcare and agriculture. I have devoted myself fully to fighting for my constituents.
“I am looking forward to this election and will be asking the people of North Antrim for their continuing support and friendship.”
He added: “My campaign will be a positive one. I am seeking to make a further positive and meaningful contribution to the North Antrim constituency.”
WhenMr Paisley snr announced last week that he would not contest the general election, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was among the first to hail his political contribution.
The senior Sinn Féin representative developed a surprisingly warm relationship with Mr Paisley when the pair shared top political office after their parties entered their coalition in 2007.
The rapport the former IRA commander forged with the firebrand Protestant preacher during their time at the head of Stormont’s power-sharing government was one of the most remarkable and unexpected twists in the region’s turbulent political history.
Mr Paisley, who founded the DUP, is relinquishing the seat he first won in 1970. His decision, coming two years after he stood down as first minister and gave up the leadership of the DUP, paves the way for a fiery election battle between his son and the leader of the hardline Traditional Unionist Voice party.
Mr Allister, who resigned from the DUP in protest at the decision to enter government with Sinn Fein, became a talisman for those unionists who remain opposed to the administration.
When Mr Paisley announced his retirement, Mr Allister said: “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.”
Reuters