A new era dawned on Northern Ireland's political landscape yesterday when
Peter Robinson was elected Ian Paisley's successor as DUP leader and First
Minister.
Mr Robinson, deputy leader of the DUP for 28 years, said that he was deeply
honoured to have been chosen by Assembly colleagues to take over from Mr
Paisley.
The revelation came on the day Mr Robinson, the Stormont Finance Minister,
met with the Irish Finance Minister Brian Cowen - who is also the
Taoiseach-elect - in Belfast for a major jobs announcement.
However, it could be June before he becomes Northern Ireland's First
Minister.
Mr Paisley will resign in May, triggering the removal of Martin McGuinness
as Deputy First Minister.
Mr Robinson last night hinted at a move away from the jovial imagery which
led to Ian Paisley and Mr McGuinness acquiring the nickname in government of
the Chuckle Brothers.
"Obviously, within the Executive I work on a regular basis with the
Deputy First Minister," he said.
"We will do business together in a professional and workmanlike way and
hopefully in a productive way that will bring results."
The East Belfast MP will be formally declared DUP leader at a meeting of the
party's 120-member executive on Thursday night in the offices of Castlereagh
Borough Council in Belfast.
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