JNR is but a pale imitation of SNR and he has to make sure that the likes of Robinson and Dodds not to mention the newcomers from the UUP don't get in front of him. To do this he has to maintain the original DUP ethos with his father in charge and that speech was designed to scupper the Dodds, Robinson, Donaldson deals that were ongoing.

Note that SNR will contest the North Antrim seat not JNR. What does that tell us exactly?

It tells us that SNR doesn't think anyone will vote for JNR and he's worried about losing the seat. Why isn't there a retirement age for politicans? Kick the old bloke out and lets get on with things.

Yeh, your probably right, no one would ever vote for any other Paisley in North Antrim, ludicrous idea. It looks like the UUP will reclaim their devine right to the seat back when big Ian's had enough. Who needs votes really? Just claim seats by right.

Should I take from the tone of your post Jimmy you think I am a UUP supporter? You really shouldn't rush to judgement. Perhaps what I should have said was that IMO it's time for someone else to have a go whether it's big or little Ian or someone completely different and close the deal he can't or won't. In much the same way as certain commentators have suggested it's time for Gerry Adams to step aside and let someone else close the deal HE can't or won't.

Ahh, I get your point, though still don't agree. Ian Junior, if anything would probably increase the DUP's westminsterial strength, not decrease it. I'm not sure what you mean about Paisley not closing a deal, there's no deal with suit wearing gangsters, mandate or no mandate. Everyone must be within the law, not above it. I don't see anything wrong with that, that's a fundamental principle of civil life, it's as simple as that. It's the Provo leadership that have to look at themselves, not the DUP.