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24/06/2009
Paisley May Contest His MP Seat Again
Former First Minister Ian Paisley has hinted that he may defend his Westminster seat at the next general election.
It was widely predicted Mr Paisley - who last year stood down as leader of the DUP and as First Minister - would not contest his Ballymena seat again.
However, the 83-year-old Democratic Unionist stalwart has indicated he may run for MP one more time.
It is believed the elderly statesman wants to fend off Tradition Unionist Jim Allister, a former ally, who has his sights set on the seat.
For several years it has been suggested Mr Paisley's son Ian Jr was being groomed for the North Antrim parliamentary posting.
Brushing off questions of a peerage, Mr Paisley told House Magazine: "I think I would stand as an MP again. My wife is in the House of Lords, so I'll leave her to deal with the noble lordships."
At the last general election Mr Paisley pulled in a majority of over 18,000, accumulating in a 25,156 share of the constituency ballots.
Earlier this month, when TUV leader Mr Allister said he was prepared to challenge Mr Paisley's stronghold, the fire-brand preacher said his old colleague was "welcome to come and get a hiding" in North Antrim.
(PR/BMcC)
It was widely predicted Mr Paisley - who last year stood down as leader of the DUP and as First Minister - would not contest his Ballymena seat again.
However, the 83-year-old Democratic Unionist stalwart has indicated he may run for MP one more time.
It is believed the elderly statesman wants to fend off Tradition Unionist Jim Allister, a former ally, who has his sights set on the seat.
For several years it has been suggested Mr Paisley's son Ian Jr was being groomed for the North Antrim parliamentary posting.
Brushing off questions of a peerage, Mr Paisley told House Magazine: "I think I would stand as an MP again. My wife is in the House of Lords, so I'll leave her to deal with the noble lordships."
At the last general election Mr Paisley pulled in a majority of over 18,000, accumulating in a 25,156 share of the constituency ballots.
Earlier this month, when TUV leader Mr Allister said he was prepared to challenge Mr Paisley's stronghold, the fire-brand preacher said his old colleague was "welcome to come and get a hiding" in North Antrim.
(PR/BMcC)
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Donaldson Made Junior Minister
A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
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