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From The Times

March 13, 2007

So, Dr No, what exactly were the last 40 years all about?

Ian Paisley’s eagerness to do a deal with Sinn Fein is astonishing

Dean Godson

Ian Paisley loves to tell the story of his first meeting with his mentor, the Rev W.P. Nicholson, a famous Ulster revivalist preacher. “Young man, have you ever seen a cow’s tongue?” asked the venerable evangelist of the young firebrand. “Go into a butcher’s shop, get a cow’s tongue laid out on the counter and rub your hand up it the wrong way, and it will cut you like a file. It will bring the blood.” Nicholson then prayed: “Oh God of hosts, give this young preacher a tongue like an old cow.”

The Rev Ian Paisley took this advice. “Even my infidel opponents”, he has boasted, “would bear witness that God has answered that prayer, for my tongue has drawn the blood of many an opponent and many an enemy of the Gospel.”

Well, the Old Cow seems to be turning into a great, slobbering St Bernard — keen to lick as many hands in Belfast, Dublin, London and Washington as he can. Politics can do funny things to people, even to men of God. After last week’s Assembly elections, which reaffirmed the ascendancy of Mr Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein, the “Doc” would appear to enjoy the mandate to do the deal and to enter a power-sharing executive alongside his sworn republican foes.

Why has Mr Paisley changed? What, indeed, were the past 40 years about if he is about to sit cheek by jowl as co-premier alongside Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein-IRA? What was so terrible about those “sell-out” leaders of moderate Unionism whom Mr Paisley so ruthlessly destroyed — such as Terence O’Neill, the Ulster Unionist Premier of the late 1960s, who merely sought a few cautious reforms of the old Stormont system? Or Brian Faulkner, the first Unionist leader to attempt a power-sharing compromise with nationalism in 1974? Or what about David Trimble — excoriated for signing up to the 1998 Belfast agreement whose key provisions remain in place?

The dark suspicion must be that Mr Paisley’s great surges of holy writ were as much about himself and his own position within the unionist family as about vast differences of principle between himself and these long-vanqushed rivals. Every established institution within the Ulster-British family seemed unable to accommodate his vast ego.

Consider the record. Mr Paisley split the Presbyterian Church in Ireland because of its supposedly ecumenical tendencies, and in 1951 founded his own Free Presbyterian denomination. He founded his own Protestant Unionist Party — later the DUP — because of Ulster Unionism’s alleged weakness. He even left the main Orange Order for the Independent Orange Order. He wrecked the most hallowed concept of Unionism, “United we stand, divided we fall”.

The truth is that Mr Paisley has always loved being top dog. And after years of marginalisation, he savours such tokens of respectability as a privy councillorship for himself, a peerage for Mrs Paisley and the Doc’s latest pet project — the prospect of a solitary moment in the Oval Office with President Bush this forthcoming St Patrick’s Day (and, who knows, maybe even the chance of a shared prayer together?).

The big mystery here is Mr Paisley’s rush to do the deal. Tony Blair obviously needs a success in short order so as to go out on a high note. But from Mr Paisley’s standpoint, why not wait until Gordon Brown takes power and give the new PM a success? And why not wait until after the Irish elections in May, thus depriving Sinn Fein of a boost in the Republic? The truth is that the DUP has always been a purely provincial party purporting to operate in the Protestant interest. It remains resolutely indifferent to the effects of its actions upon Irish democrats in the Republic.

So where does Mr Paisley’s new found emollience leave the Union? There is certainly a defeatist strain within the DUP, personified by the former Conservative MP Andrew Hunter, who ran as a DUP candidate in the 2003 assembly election. After that poll, Mr Hunter told me: “Trimble sold the pass and administered the death blow to the Union. All that remains now is for us to go in and negotiate Protestant homeland within a united Ireland on as advantageous a basis as possible.” Mr Hunter confirms that this remains his view today — and he regards republican talk of unity by the time of the centenary of the Easter Rising of 1916 as not unrealistic. He claims that Mr Paisley can at times see that this is the logic of events — but that the DUP chieftain still does not fully accept it.

Certainly, the vast bulk of the Unionist electorate do not think that they have voted for such drift: indeed, the very reverse. What will be the ructions within the DUP and within the Free Presbyterian Church when they discover otherwise? The DUP’s Janus-faced ambiguity served it well when Sinn Fein participation in government was entirely theoretical. But what happens when it becomes a reality? And could such arrangements survive beyond the lifetime of the frail Mr Paisley?

Whatever now happens, to have got even this far constitutes an achievement for Anglo-Irish statecraft. For years, officials have smirkingly counted upon the defeatism, vanity and venality of much of the Unionist political class to push through a project of creeping condominium with the Republic. But who would have thought that Ian Paisley, the ultimate “honest bigot”, would turn out to be their last card?

Dean Godson is author of Himself Alone: David Trimble and the Ordeal of Unionism

"The sad thing is that decent Catholics don't want the Union to end."

That's both inacurate and patronising. Anyway, a good day for Northern Ireland (on both sides on the divide), it's 2007, time to move on. It was still inherently surprising, and it's a cliche, but it was the right thing to do, there's not really an alternative, except stall, stall, stall.

niall, Belfast,

"Decent Catholics don't want the union to end" KO'N who told you that rubbish. We want re-unification and we want it asap.

Todd, Belfast, Ireland

While listening to the on going debate between the various Unionist parties I wonder do the Unionist parties of all shades regret destroying what they had in the 1974 Assembly. Looking at the situation now it seems that they would give their eye teeth for what they pulled down at the time.
Mr. Paisley and Craig along with motley others would only have had to deal with the, Alliance, SDLP, Labour, a few Independents & the Faulkner Unionists but no Sinn Fein in sight. I have not heard any interviewer on R.T.E, B,B,C, or U.T.V. put this question to any of the parties concerned.

Yours sincerely

BRIAN, BELFAST, Ireland

Kevin O'Neill ( any relation to P.O'Neill?) writes that "the majority of unionists have had an easy life for the last 30 years". Yes Kevin, other than the fascist Provo murdering machine, it's been really easy!
I'm from a working class unionist background & I resent his comments about "non-jobs". In this he is referring to the Civil Service & I would like to point out that the majority of these positions are occupied by Roman Catholics, I would presume from the nationalist/republican tradition. I'm sure they'll debate long & hard about how "non" their jobs are.
Tony O'Shea from FLORIDA! claims its the IRA have "stopped murdering people." Excepting the two men, one shot & the other beaten to death in so called republican areas within the last few days?
Sorry Tony, to disappoint, but I'm a unionist & I've never had a sectarian mindset, maybe you should decommission your own.

Frank Mooney, Belfast, Northern Ireland

That last comment was for Paul Wood

Todd, Belfast, Ireland

The point is well made and alas the majority have bought hook, line and sinker. The DUP have morphed from being an anti-fenian party to being a right of centre party by not only stealing the clothes off the UUPs' back but getting them tailered bettered.

Butterknife, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

The sad fact is that the majority of Unionists have had an easy life for the last 30 years. They have non-jobs. They push paper for the government or the multitude of agencies. Even the politicians get paid for nothing.

It has suited the UK to prop up the economy from UK tax.

But unless NI gets into the 21st century and becomes a commercial entity it's rising house prices, cafes and leisure facilities will become a hollow joke. Paisley has proved he can play the big 'NO' man for 40 years. NI needs some real leadership now.

kevin O'Neill, london, uk

A sad article which profoundly depresses me. The sad thing is that decent Catholics don't want the Union to end.

Paul Wood, bucharest, romania

I beleieve the moment has come for Mr.Paisley. He either leads his party into a devolved goverment which broadly represents the divergent populace or he will commit Ulster to years of indiffernece from the political power houses in london and Dublin. There are no votes in either two places to encourage any further brave moves or generosity of spirit.
The IRA have decommissioned their arms and stopped murdering peope its NOW time for Unionism to decommission its sectarian mind set .

Tony O' Shea, FLORIDA, USA

IMO dear Mary Shelley - Ireland is not on the European continent. It is rather an island. I know because I lived there & as a boy was brought my parents on a tour of its coastal villages, few fjords, many loughs and quaint cities. Just in case you insist that some peninsular causeway only negotiable at low tide might join said island to the other island (Britain) & then to the continent - I also remember as a young man sailing or to be more precise circumnavigating the island. No such causeway existed in the 20th century and none exists today.

Iisn't it wonderful how "Alan of Cookstown" needed three bites at the cherry of the "have your say" option?

That's what results from pique. Alan next time - take a deep breath! preclude your opinion with your corrections of the glaring inaccuracies. I for one was surprised that Dr Paisley (so beautifully described by the The Times as "Dr NO" [the only reason I came to this site via google] isn't -nor ever was presbytarian. is he yet a disenter?

I mac Diarmada, barcelona, catalunya / Spain

Is it not time that we all grew up ? There is no them and us anymore we are all in Europe we are all citizens of the EU, North and South don't enter into it any more.

We all have the same Government i.e. Brussels - so what's there to protest and be divisive about ?

Come on Guys we are all big boys now !!

Ken Holdaway, East London, South Africa.

This article is also highly inaccurate. Dr Paisley was never a Presbyterian, his father was a Baptist pastor. He was approached by several breakaway Presbyterian congregations after they were refused the usage of a Hall to preach the gospel nad Dr Paisleys Independent Church joined with them to form the Free Presbyterians. Neither did he leave the Orange Order to join the Independent Orange Order. He has never been a member of the Independents and has not been a member of the Orange Order for 40-50 years or more!

Alan Day, Cookstown, Northern Ireland

The reason Ulster has fallen behind economically is two fold - constant bombings by the IRA kept away investment and drove away businesses that were already here. Secondly bad management by unaccountable "direct rule" Ministers, especially Labour Ministers who had no votes to lose in Ulster (Labour has only recently lifted an 80 year ban on Labour membership in Northern Ireland after legal proceedings). The 10 year peace has already shown significant economic improvement with new buildings and developments going on everywhere and big businesses moving into Ulster. House prices have gone up 44% in Mid-Ulster in the last year alone with an average house price of £220,000 in Mid-Ulster, higher than Wales, Scotland and the North of England where 5 years ago Ulster was bottom. Migrants from Eastern Europe have flooded in.

Alan, Cookstown, Northern Ireland

Mr. Paisley can keep repeating himself like a mimicking orange parrot as long as he likes, and remain as intransigent as Abraham but unless he moves the mountain to Mohammed, and agrees to power sharing with Sinn Fein, then the Assembley shuts down! He can expel as much CO2 as he likes in his attempt to fool the Unionist population all he wants but there is NO other option, unless of course he declares U.D.I., then again he would be doing the U.K. taxpayer a favour!

Lachie Todd, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.

There are several things different from 40 years ago - the IRA is largely no longer active, Republicans / Catholics have accepted partition and the principle of consent, the Republic of Ireland has removed its constitutional claim to Northern Ireland, Republicans have decommissioned, Republicans have tenuously given support to the police, courts and law and order. the Republic has removed the Roman Catholic church from its constitution, The GAA has removed its banned on security force members and its bann on "foreign sports" such as rugby, football, hockey and cricket. And lastly 30 years of unaccountable direct rule Ministers have shown nothing but bad government and there is a deep desire for self-government from ALL the people of Ulster from both communities and people realise that only an internal settlement in Belfast, not Lndon or Dublin will suffice!

Alan Day, Cookstown, Northern Ireland

Direct that question to Sinn Fein. Ulster is still part of the UK and they are now part of the system.

Doug Forbes, Wheeling, USA

As always Paisley's whole attitude has been about one thing, power. He wasn't the one doing the negotiating therefore he wasn't going to back any kind of deal, because he wanted the power. We could be a lot further along the road to total and final peace by now if it wasn't for Rev. Paisley. I wonder how many lives this supposed man of god has cost?

Tom Holvey, York,

I think the answer to your titular question has to be, in a word, controversy. Northern Ireland has provided a suitable, containable field of political controversy and Dr Ian Paisley has been an ideal proponent. Evangelists are all about castigation and Paisley in full flow is a master of the art while at the same time being personally congenial. I am sure the controversy could continue, but Eire’s new prosperity, and such factors as the Internet and the enlargement of Europe, all help to make it look increasingly futile, and that a suitable time has arrived for a switch in the evangelical talents.

Henry Percy, London, UK

Currently 50.4% of the schoolchildren in Northern Ireland are Catholic/Nationalist versus 44% (2001 census) of all Northern Irish. So within ten years or so the (former) Catholic/Nationalist minority will gain parity with the (former )Protestant/Unionist majority. I doubt that a first-past-the-post system will work given Northern Ireland's traumatic history but before that time *some* kind of power sharing must be implemented, otherwise the (now) Catholic majority (formerly minority) could rightfully exercise their vote for alliance with the Republic..

Although IMO there are worst alternatives than some kind of federation with the Republic, one of the fastest growing, lowest taxed and most dynamic countries on the European continent. I doubt this will happen. Unlike the Republic, Northern Ireland is heavily subsidized by Britain, especially hapless taxpayers of the Southeast. Benefits would fall sharply.

Mary Shelley, London, UK

I deeply hope that there is some sort of God along the lines of the one Paisley believes in. That would mean that the ignorant bigot will spen eternity roasting in hell. Oh! Joy of Joys!

Peter Moss, london, England

This is not exactly a 'eureka' moment of discovery.
Paisley has never been characterised by his humility, nor his compassion,nor his willingness to forgive and even his oratory was noticeable only for it's intolerant volume.
'Honest bigot' is a contradiction in terms in the context of
a truly christian overview.
That there is blood on his tongue there is no doubt.
Perhaps the closer prospect of the 'afterlife' is giving him cause for tactical manoevres towards tolerance. The 'do unto others' principle.
(This writer is a former protestant).

Keith Robotham, Bengtsfors, Sweden

I think the answer to your titular question has to be, in a word, controversy. Northern Ireland has provided a suitable, containable field of political controversy and Dr Ian Paisley has been an ideal proponent. Evangelists are all about castigation and Paisley in full flow is a master of the art, while at the same time being personally congenial. I am sure the controversy could continue, but Eireâ€™s new prosperity, and such factors as the Internet and the enlargement of Europe, all help to make it look increasingly futile, and that a suitable time has arrived for a switch in angle of the evangelical talents.

Henry Percy, London, UK

I never knew much about Paisley and his party or religious views. However, it has always been clear to me that no man of God would treat established Biblical injunctions with as much contempt as he has. How ironic, for example, that the so-called "evil men of the IRA" have been the architects of the peace process (saving countless lives in the process), while "a man of God" seeks at every turn "to wreck it," as he once famously put it! I blame those who have always indulged him.

AKPAN, Canterbury/Kent,

An excellent article on a unique phenomenon - the Rev Ian Paisley (RIP). Paisley is a charismatic figure in the Weberian sense and such figures are highly unpredictable in a modern party political context. He has pulled off one of the greatest bluffs in British political history and will not doubt be First Minister on April Fool's Day: 1 April 2007. Tony Blair needs him to make a helf-decent exit and RIP knows it. I am not so sure the Irish end-game will be as Godson predicts. To re-unite Ireland, Sinn Fein, the only all-Ireland party, needs to convince 20% of the Northern Catholics to join them. So far they have failed with the result that, on paper at least, around 65% of the population of Northern Ireland still favour the Union of NI with the UK. If you were a middle-class Northern Catholic would you join the Republic of Ireland and see your status and influence decline proportionally? The word on the Ulster street is that Paisley's paradox may well have been (divinely) inspired!

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece