The Democratic Unionists will have a more corporate style of leadership after the Rev Ian Paisley stands down, the man tipped to succeed him predicted tonight.
DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson refused to be drawn on claims that he is the firm favourite to take over from the 81-year-old Stormont First Minister when he retires in May.
But he admitted the DUP was going to have to adjust following the departure of Mr Paisley. "I have been a follower of Ian Paisley since I was a schoolboy," the Stormont Finance Minister said.
"So you can see how hard it is for me to imagine having politics without Ian Paisley. "I actually think he is more central to the DUP than Margaret Thatcher was to the Tories because he founded the party when she did not. "The DUP was very much moulded around him. He's the only leader we have ever had.
"He's had a style of leadership where he has always gone out front, taken the brickbats and was prepared to put his judgment on the line.
"Whoever takes over, I think we will have a collective and corporate style of leadership."
Mr Paisley announced yesterday that he felt it was right to step down in May after a Stormont Executive investment conference aimed at US businessmen.
He will remain as the MP and Assembly member for North Antrim. But while Mr Robinson is the strong favourite to take over, Stormont Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.
Senior DUP sources, however, predicted today that there would be no divisive contest, with 59-year-old Mr Robinson likely to take over as leader and First Minister and 49-year-old Mr Dodds becoming his deputy as part of a dream ticket.
Under DUP rules, the party's Assembly Group will have the first say on who becomes leader. Party officers will convene an annual general meeting of the Assembly Group to choose a leader and deputy leader.
Their recommendation will go to the party executive for approval. Mr Robinson, however, would not indulge speculation about who would take over.