JUST been catching up on some of the analysis of the Dromore poll, and while there was clearly a tactical protest vote to keep the DUP out (as can be seen from the level of TUV transfers to the UUP), what exactly will the DUP MPs be mulling over in Lisbon, as they contemplate the results without the Paisleys around? Virtually every analysis points to the presentation of power-sharing as one, if not the main, reason for the DUP’s failure – which will be something for Ian Paisley to think about, since in general unionism seems to have reconciled itself to power-sharing per se. Noel McAdam also quotes a party source as noting the Paisley Jr factor, with the constant negative press ‘Three Jobs’ attracts being mentioned on the doorsteps. After decades of building the party up, are the Paisleys turning into an electoral liability for the DUP, or was Dromore just a blip? Paisley Sr reckons the result was a ‘flash in the pan’ and that Jim Allister ‘has another think coming’ if he reckons he can hold onto his European seat. If the DUP did see Paisley Minor as a liability, perhaps it is to Europe that he could be farmed out to, keeping him out of the Commons and Stormont, while giving a better candidate than ‘Plug’ Poots the chance to redeem himself without losing too much face when he loses his father’s protection…
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