For years, opponents and observers had predicted, or hoped, the DUP would tear itself asunder when it came time for Ian Paisley to step down.

In reality, the whole affair of selecting his replacement could not have run more smoothly.

At a meeting – lasting little more than 10 minutes – of the party's full Assembly team at Stormont yesterday morning, Mr Robinson was unanimously chosen as leader-designate.

Fellow MP Nigel Dodds was agreed as deputy leader-designate.

The only hitch was that the vote was delayed half-an-hour because some MLAs were stuck in traffic due to an accident on the M2.

Emphasising the ease of the transition of power, the full Assembly team then posed for a picture on the steps at Parliament Buildings, amid much joking and laughing.

The backdrop was appropriate too, as the DUP had effectively also just anointed the Northern Ireland First Minister-in-waiting.

However, in a statement, the DUP said that Mr Paisley remains DUP leader and First Minister for the time being.

The statement said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds' joint nomination was proposed by East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson and seconded by Stormont Environment Minister Arlene Foster – significant in that the proposers represented the east and west of the Province, and the rural/urban and male/female elements of the party.

It added: "This joint nomination was unanimously agreed and will now be taken forward for ratification to the party's Central Executive Committee on Thursday, April 17, in Castlereagh council offices.

"We are respectful that the process is not complete. Therefore DUP representatives will be making no further comment until after the executive meeting on Thursday evening."

Mr Robinson, 59, said he was deeply honoured to have been chosen by his Assembly colleagues.

As he met Irish Finance Minister Brian Cowen in Belfast during a major jobs announcement, Mr Robinson promised a more corporate style of party leadership.

The East Belfast MP joked that he was a very patient man, having been deputy leader of the DUP for 28 years.

And while he did not want to pre-empt the meeting of the DUP's 120-member ruling executive on Thursday night, which could formally elect him leader, he said: "In terms of style there will only ever be one Ian Paisley.

"It would be a very foolish person to set out to try and mimic him.
"Each leader will bring their own style and skills to the job and, I think, whoever the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party will be, they will have to recognise that they follow in the shoes of someone who had the party formed around them.

"Therefore there will be a requirement for a more collective and corporate decision-making process."