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DUP to reshuffle ministerial team DUP to reshuffle ministerial team
(about 3 hours later)
DUP leader Peter Robinson is preparing to reshuffle his executive team as the party comes to grips with its worst European election since 1979.DUP leader Peter Robinson is preparing to reshuffle his executive team as the party comes to grips with its worst European election since 1979.
Mr Robinson pledged to reconnect with the electorate following the poll which saw the TUV's Jim Allister snatch 40% of the party's vote.Mr Robinson pledged to reconnect with the electorate following the poll which saw the TUV's Jim Allister snatch 40% of the party's vote.
It is believed an announcement on a new team could be made within days.It is believed an announcement on a new team could be made within days.
It is thought MP Nigel Dodds will remain at finance; Gregory Campbell and Sammy Wilson are likely to stand aside.
There is speculation that Nelson McCausland is a possibility to take Mr Campbell's post as culture minister.There is speculation that Nelson McCausland is a possibility to take Mr Campbell's post as culture minister.
Edwin Poots is viewed as a contender to succeed Mr Wilson in Environment. Edwin Poots is viewed as a contender to return to the Executive, while Peter Weir may be a new face.
Mr Robinson signalled last month that he intends to end double-jobbing and remove most of the party's MPs from ministerial posts as well as committee chairs.Mr Robinson signalled last month that he intends to end double-jobbing and remove most of the party's MPs from ministerial posts as well as committee chairs.
In future MPs will have to choose between Stormont and Westminster.In future MPs will have to choose between Stormont and Westminster.
On Monday, the DUP's Diane Dodds was beaten into third place behind Jim Nicholson from the Conservatives and Unionists, although she did not reach the quota.On Monday, the DUP's Diane Dodds was beaten into third place behind Jim Nicholson from the Conservatives and Unionists, although she did not reach the quota.
Sinn Féin's Bairbre de Brun topped the poll - smashing the DUP's 30-year-long record of securing the most votes in European elections.Sinn Féin's Bairbre de Brun topped the poll - smashing the DUP's 30-year-long record of securing the most votes in European elections.
Mr Robinson said the DUP must learn from its worst ever European election result - and could learn lessons from Sinn Fein.Mr Robinson said the DUP must learn from its worst ever European election result - and could learn lessons from Sinn Fein.
"I'm not one who regularly blogs but I did read one comment which I thought was pertinent where it said Sinn Fein have an awful lot to learn from the DUP in terms of governance but the DUP have an awful lot to learn from Sinn Fein in terms of communicating with their base."I'm not one who regularly blogs but I did read one comment which I thought was pertinent where it said Sinn Fein have an awful lot to learn from the DUP in terms of governance but the DUP have an awful lot to learn from Sinn Fein in terms of communicating with their base.
"There's a lot of truth in that.""There's a lot of truth in that."
Diane Dodds is now an MEP without reaching the quotaDiane Dodds is now an MEP without reaching the quota
The DUP had 32% of the entire first preference vote in 2004, this time it fell to 18.2%.The DUP had 32% of the entire first preference vote in 2004, this time it fell to 18.2%.
Former DUP MEP Jim Allister, now the leader of Traditional Unionist Voice, polled more than 66,000 votes, but was later eliminated.Former DUP MEP Jim Allister, now the leader of Traditional Unionist Voice, polled more than 66,000 votes, but was later eliminated.
On Monday, Mr Robinson told the BBC that there was "nothing more certain to make people stay at home" than unionist bickering and division.On Monday, Mr Robinson told the BBC that there was "nothing more certain to make people stay at home" than unionist bickering and division.
"We had a three way split for the unionist vote and the consequences can be seen," he said."We had a three way split for the unionist vote and the consequences can be seen," he said.
"I am disappointed. I believe that a very significant section of our support base stayed at home. There's a message in that for us. We have to connect and communicate with those people. We have to win those votes out."I am disappointed. I believe that a very significant section of our support base stayed at home. There's a message in that for us. We have to connect and communicate with those people. We have to win those votes out.
"We have to face up to the fact that while a large portion of the unionist electorate find it very difficult to have Sinn Fein in government, I think that we did the right thing.""We have to face up to the fact that while a large portion of the unionist electorate find it very difficult to have Sinn Fein in government, I think that we did the right thing."