Hi °C | Lo °C There was something consistently arrogant about Peter Robinson's recent television interview.
Clearly, even with his defeat in East Belfast, he hasn't got the message. Regardless of what he says, or how he tries to spin it, the electorate of East Belfast doesn't hold with the DUP line that 'it's all Iris' fault, really'.
Regardless of the facts, the perception held by many people remains; the property deals, the Parliamentary expenses and the relationships with property developers were inappropriate and these attach themselves to Peter as much as Iris.
No amount of DUP colleagues rallying around will alter the fact: Peter Robinson is damaged goods.
Ironically, Peter Robinson is a mirror-image, but for totally different reasons, of David Trimble.
History has proven David Trimble to have been politically brave and astute in signing up to the Belfast Agreement; he was right to go into a power-sharing government and he was right be develop a positive relationship with the Irish Republic. But the perception of the people in 2005 was the opposite, so he had to go. At least he had the grace to do so.
Clearly, Peter Robinson is too arrogant to realise his time is up and the DUP are too weak to remove him.
Limping along as a wounded leader is never good and ignoring the electorate is a very dangerous form of contempt and blaming all your woes on the Press is delusional.
The people of East Belfast have spoken for the rest of us: Peter your time is up, you have embarrassed us enough. Now go!
ULTONIAN
Portadown, Co Armagh
