“I will serve the full four years. I will not be resigning.”
As the Irish Times breaking news report notes, DUP leader Ian Paisley has stated that he has no intention of retiring from the post of Northern Ireland First Minister once he attains that office. The quote seems to have been taken from an interview with UTV’s Ken Reid, and the UTV site has the full interview here. It’s a statement that will be viewed with interest by certain speculators.. although theoretically, if unlikely, as is the case with Sinn Féin, he could be First Minister while not being leader of his party..
Ian Paisley, when asked how long he intended to serve, said: “I am pleased you asked me that question. I will serve the full four years. I will not be resigning.”
Ian Paisley, Northern Ireland’s Robert Mugabe?
What p*sspoor theology: it’s not up to him whether he’s got another 4 years, it’s up to Him shurely? It almost makes you wonder what they’re handing doctorates out for these days, or them days, come to that.
Alex S
Murderous thug who cares not about the suffering of his own people, magnifies and plays on ethnic/religious differences and clings to crazy Marxist ecominc theories and operates through a quasi mafiaosa politcal party – sounds more like Gerry Adams
And both of them put into power by softheaded British governments.
The more this saga continues, the more I appreciate how Faulkner and Fitt was such a missed opportunity.
Wake me up on the 8th May – I’m tired of the leading tarts in our tiresome soap opera hitching their skirts like this.
The DUP have already shown that they have no problem with U-turns if it will bring political benefit to the Party. Will anyone be that surprised if this turns out to be another U-turn?
what does it say about Northern Irish society when we have on the one side a bunch of self righteous religeous fanaticals and on the other, a bunch of unrepentant terrorists. Going by the polls I assume 60 – 70 % of this little country are bigots, more obsessed in their own little political philosophies than actually giving a damn about the people around them.
the sooner the UU join the conservatives the better – finally it would be an indication than we are entering normal, politics and not a sectarian head count.
Notwithstanding his longevity thus far, is this Big Ian’s way of saying he wants to die with his boots on? And if he died as a serving First Minister, would he get a state funeral…?
“And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.”
Genesis 5:27
Notwithstanding his longevity thus far, is this Big Ian’s way of saying he wants to die with his boots on? And if he died as a serving First Minister, would he get a state funeral…?
That’s quite a thought. There hasn’t been a state funeral here for quite some time.
‘Notwithstanding his longevity thus far, is this Big Ian’s way of saying he wants to die with his boots on? And if he died as a serving First Minister, would he get a state funeral…?’
When you say state, do you mean the UK? Mmm – Not sure if being the leader of a region of the UK would qualify for a state funeral.
Okay, so there’s no other state other than the UK, but you know what I mean.
Whether he dies in office or after his time of duty he would be entitled to a Northern Ireland “state” service, something along the lines of G Best.
Didn’t Craigavon die in office? He was buried at Stormont but I’m not sure what sort of funeral he had. Whatever it was, it wasn’t “state”. Even prime ministers (serving or ex) don’t get those generally. The last exception was Churchill – hardly someone to whom Paisley could be compared outside a willingness to accommodate Irish nationalism.
“Whether he dies in office or after his time of duty he would be entitled to a Northern Ireland “state†service, something along the lines of G Best”
I would like to see an equestrian statue of Paisley erected at Stormont on his death
Gerd Muller,
Would he not object to the Roman element in that or has he dropped all that as well?
If there was a state funeral, wouldn’t the cortege have to be led by the deputy first minister?
And as for a graveside oration…
I believe he’s entitled to serve his full term though clearly its breaking a few hearts on this forum.
Live with it.
Gerd Muller, a statue of him throwing a snowball.
you could even have a string in the back of the statue and when you pull it, the mouth will move and a booming voice will shout, Never Never Never, oh ok go on then !!
“Gerd Muller, a statue of him throwing a snowball”
On a horse.
Just for good measure lets have a statue of Gerd Muller kicking a ball. I’m sure through government tendering they can try to get two statues for the price of one.
Having said that they are liable to end up with one statue for the price of two…..
How about a 160foot statue of him at the mouth of the Lagan that glows at night!? In one hand he can be holding the Free Pres Bible (with himself as author of course) and in the other a gun permit.
If it was large enough, it could bestride the harbour and the HSS could turn in the shadow of his crotch.
Beyond the pearly gates or perhaps behind the gates of Hell both God and Satan will each breath a sigh of relief that either/neither will have to vacate their thrones for at least another 4 years !
The thought of Paisley soon entering either domain has already had the Catholic Angels and Protestant Devils / or vice versa in such a state of anxiety that not even the heavenly strains of Cherubim and Seraphim could quiet their apprehension.
Ho hum
The deed is done
Perhaps it’s for the best
It would answer him better
This evangelical go getter
To pick a successor
And then
To go take a rest