Ian Paisley and evangelical Democratic Unionists: An analysis of the role of evangelical Protestantism within the Democratic Unionist Party

The Democratic Unionist Party has received considerable academic attention not least because its leader, Ian Paisley, is a charismatic religious figure who not only has enjoyed unchallenged leadership of the DUP, but also has experienced 54 years of uncontested moderatorship of the Free Presbyterian Church. The fact that Paisley leads a religious denomination and a political party has led to examination of the relationship between his religion and politics. The conclusions concerning the role of evangelicalism within the Protestant community can be contested. Further, the image of Paisley and the DUP being ideologically unchangeable is often accepted without serious critical reflection. This paper argues that a more modest interpretation of the role and influence of evangelicalism within Protestantism is required and that the party is not incapable of adopting a pragmatic and flexible strategy according to developments in its political environment.