POLITICS: I'll leave Assembly if elected to Westminster - Ian Jnr's pledge

Speaking following his selection last night (Monday) at the North Antrim DUP Constituency meeting, Ian jnr also revealed that he would not be 'double jobbing' if elected, but would immediately relinquish his seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Addressing members of the Party faithful, Mr Paisley, said that having represented North Antrim in the Assembly since 1998 and in the Forum before that since 1996, he has a proven and unparalleled track record to serve the North Antrim constituency, its people and the wider Northern Ireland as a public representative.

He said: "I believe in public service. I believe in delivering practical and beneficial changes for the people, I believe in carrying forward the great work that has been done over the past forty years by the DUP in this constituency.

"Forty years ago the DUP was in its infancy, today the party is the largest political party in Northern Ireland, the fifth largest grouping in Westminster and a party with a record of real and meaningful service to the people.

"I seek this nomination to carry forward this party and to continue to be the voice for constituents who would otherwise be forgotten in our national parliament. Our party has a strong team in Westminster in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is essential that being part of that team we can make significant and beneficial changes for all our people," said Mr Paisley.

He said the next parliament could be "one of the most significant of a generation".

"With the two main parties so close to each other in the polls the prospect of a hung parliament or one where local votes from Northern Ireland will be significant must be recognised," he said.

"The DUP is not tied to any one party there. We will continue to do what is in the best interests of Northern Ireland. We want to ensure a stable government and a stable parliament that will take the country out of economic recession and so our unfettered approach is by far the mot beneficial not just for Northern Ireland but for the entire kingdom.

"As a party I believe we offer hope. Hope to a people who for too long have felt hopeless. Now with determined a dedicated unionist representation we offer the hope of stability, of strength and determined leadership to take our country forward.

"We offer hard work on behalf of our constituency," said Mr Paisley.

He pointed out that the DUP is the only party that has established full-time professional constituency offices all across Northern Ireland – with three such offices in the North Antrim constitency alone. "Now we have set a trend that others seek to follow but it is a trend that has professionalized our pledge to serve the people. I am particularly proud of the service that we deliver," said Mr Paisley.

"Last year in this constituency I helped to bring back to constituents over 800,000 of payments of benefits, grants and assistance that otherwise would not have been here. I make no apology for cornering ministers and government officials and arguing for, yes demanding, attention and resources are spent in my constituency. That is my job and I make no apology for it. I am determined to continue to see this work grow and develop".

He continued: "I make no apology for being a voice for voiceless people, for pressing the health minister to take my constituents ahead of others, for pressing the Agriculture minister to consider North Antrim needs ahead of others, for pressing the social development minister to see more resources spent on housing and community development here. That is my job and if others are not up to it or embarrassed by my determination to advance North Antrim over everywhere else then tough luck to them.

"I make no apology for supporting and helping business leaders in North Antrim. I want to see opportunity flow here and assisting one man businesses or multi nationals where it is good for my constituents I will work to ensure opportunities are realised.

"I make no apology for helping our farmers, our schools our factories ad our people because that is the job I am in.

"Those who dare to criticise have no interest in the needs of the people only interest in themselves," said Mr Paisley.

"My candidacy," he continued, "is one to continue the hard work for the people of North Antrim and to deliver results on the ground. It is also a candidacy to ensure that Northern Ireland does not become a laughing stock at Westminster but is taken seriously and contributes to the national debate.

I believe I can make a difference and make it well. The future doesn't belong to the faint of heart but to the brave and therefore to the brave men and women from Kells to the Causeway, all over North Antrim must come out and support this party as never before in delivering a decisive vote for real representation.

"I am determined if elected to be the full time member of parliament, not distracted with commitments in other elected assemblies that is why I am also using this evening to announce that upon election I will immediately relinquish my seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly and allow on of our talented members to continue with that job of work. I have never had a double mandate and do not believe in starting that habit now. We have the depth and strength of talent locally to replace any member and I have no fear of giving up that role to a member of this association so as I can concentrate on parliamentary matters at Westminster.

"To those who would consider giving their precious vote to other parties I would remind than that actions have consequences. The TUV offer nothing, neither hard work locally or hope nationally. They offer a voice of ridicule, no plan for unionism other than to take us all back. Intentional or otherwise, a vote for the TUV will be about bringing back London/Dublin rule, joint authority, it will not be about preserving the assembly, the consequence for Northern Ireland and for North Antrim would therefore be grim.

"I look forward to the challenge and to you joining me on the campaign trail," he concluded.

Congratulating his son, as he reflected on the past 40 years in his farewell speech to his constituency association, Ian Paisley senior, said: "He knows he will have my total support...and I look forward to joining him on the campaign trail and helping to fight and win this seat for our party.

"Unlike most I know more about this candidate than anyone else. I know of his dedication to duty, of his love for this country of his desire to serve his community and of his ability to get things done for people. "He will make an excellent Member of Parliament. He will hold high the standard of the unionist people and he will represent all with fairness and determination".

Reflecting on his own political career, he said: "Forty years is a long time to give service. There have been highs and lows, a journey that has led me to jail and a journey that has led me to leadership of the country. But it is a journey that I believe God's divine hand has been at the steering wheel and a journey that I believe has had great and lasting results".