THERE was a mixed reaction from local representatives surrounding the resignation of Ian Paisley from his roles as First Minister and DUP party leader this week.
While his long-serving colleagues have wished him well, others, including Antrim Mayor, Councillor Adrian Watson and DUP defector, Councillor Mel Lucas, have said that it is about time the 'Big Man' stepped down from the Northern Ireland political st
age.
MLA for South Antrim and local DUP councillor, Trevor Clarke told the Times that, even through after the controversy surrounding the St Andrew's Agreement, he has continued to back Mr Paisley without fail.
"I'm a supporter right up to the end. I am loyal to the DUP and it's values and will support whoever gets the nomination," he said.
When questioned if Mr Paisley's resignation would cause trouble among the ranks of the DUP, Cllr. Clarke replied: "I can't see this affecting the party. I support his decision and he is a good man.
"In saying that, there are interesting times ahead for DUP and we are unique as a party that there are no leadership squabbles.
"Whoever gets the nomination, I anticipate that I and the rest of my colleagues will continue to work well with the next leader."
Similarly, DUP councillor, Brian Graham said: "I've followed the Big Man for over 40 years and I've always voted DUP."
On Mr Paisley's work for the wider community, Cllr Graham said:
"He was a good politician and served his constituents well. Everyone would say: 'if you needed something done, ask the Big Man.' He worked for both sides of the community and he served Antrim well."
Bidding a fond farewell to him, Cllr Graham added: "The DUP party was built around him. He will be missed. He was a good man and I wish him well."
However, as one of the main DUP dissenters, Cllr. Lucas paints a different story about Mr Paisley's departure.
"They (the DUP) were all against him so he jumped before he was pushed," he claimed, when speaking to the Times this week.
"But," he added, "I didn't leave the party because of any personal issues I had with Paisley, it was because the DUP allowed Sinn Féin/IRA into Government.
"I supported Ian Paisley wholeheartedly until last year, he was a good politician and a good leader up to that point but he let his party and the electorate down when he got into bed with terrorists," Cllr. Lucas said.
He added that it was a "sad and sorry sight" to see Mr Paisley on the news last Tuesday night.
"He cut a lonely figure and has clearly lost the support of his party," he said.
When asked if Mr Paisley's resignation would hail a new beginning for the DUP, Cllr. Lucas scoffed:
"The new leader won't change anything for the DUP unless they address their policies.
"It's all about presentation at the moment but they don't have the policy or the politicians to back it up."
Cllr.
The full article contains 506 words and appears in Antrim Times newspaper.
