Dr. No Calls It Quits

One of modern history's most controversial and divisive political and religious figures, Rev Ian Paisley, has announced that he will be retiring as First Minister and Leader of the DUP in May.

Paisley, 82, has come under intense pressure within the DUP in recent months to stand down amidst internal discontent within the party about working with Sinn Fein and the party's fall in popularity. The dissent within the party has heightened in the last few weeks due to the party's loss in a high profile by-election to the UUP and the resignation of Dr. Paisley's son, Ian Paisley Junior, as a Junior Minister in his department following allegations about inappropriate dealings and lobbying of groups for his constituency.

Mr. Paisley will be remembered for many negative things and for many catholics and nationalists in Northern Ireland he will remain a despised figure for his hate filled rhetoric including denouncing the late Pope John Paul II as the anti-Christ during the Pope's speech to the European Parliament in 1988, even in announcing his departure date he managed to fit in an attack on Catholicism saying that "This is not the Church of Rome," and that "This is not Apostolic succession and I have no right to say who will succeed me." Despite this, he was willing to take the bold step and incredible political gamble to work with his bitter enemies and try to forge a new peaceful Northern Ireland and to the surprise of many on both sides of the divide, it appeared that he and his Deputy, Martin McGuinness, actually had an excellent working relationship even being called the "chuckle brothers."

Perhaps to some in the DUP that cosy image was incomprehensible and action had to be taken and the DUP, the creature that the Iron Man of Ulster politics formed around 40 years ago appears to have finally beaten its creator and master who had led them to unparalleled electoral success and had taken them into Government in Stormont. What's for sure is that as the race hots up for his successor, he will leave a lingering shadow over politics in the province.
-Adam Evans, Chief Political Correspondent

Clegg claims majority of Britons back him

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nicholas Clegg, has today defended his Party's position over a European Referendum by publishing the results of an opinion poll that the Lib Dems had commissioned MORI to undertake. The poll shows that of over 1,000 people asked a majority of 2:1 backed a referendum on Britain's future in the EU which is the stance taken by the Lib Dems compared to the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which has been demanded by I Want a Referendum, the Tories and some Lib Dem and Labour rebels.

Mr. Clegg will be relieved by the findings of the poll following a media attack previously on these proposals and the walk out staged by Lib Dems following Ed Davey MP being ordered out of the Commons due to the refusal of the Speaker to allow a Lib Dem amendment to the EU Reform Treaty calling for a vote.

This poll comes a day after the rival I Want a Referendum campaign announced that 88%of voters wanted a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty according to their private polls which have taken place in Lib Dem and Labour marginals due to those respective parties stance on the Reform Treaty.

Nick Clegg welcomed the MORI poll results and called on David Cameron to support his party saying "It`s still not too late for him to change his mind and support us in giving the public the real choice on Europe that they want." He also commented that he believed a referenum on Britain's place on Europe would "defeat the Eurosceptics for a generation and that he would "relish the chance to lead the Liberal Democrats at the forefront of that campaign."

However, despite Mr. Clegg's overtures to the Conservatives and the results of this poll, the referendum he seeks is unlikely to happen and he will have to focus on limiting any damage his stance may cause in Lib/Con marginals and to stop his party splitting on the issue. That challenge may be greater than any he has faced in political career to date, but these results can only boost him in his efforts.

-Adam Evans, Chief Political Correspondent