‘He did more for Sri Lanka than he did for Ballymena’ – fall of the house of Paisley after half a century

Shock in Paisley country as defeat means loss of seat in family’s hands since 1970

Ian Paisley Jr speaks after losing North Antrim seat

James McNaney and Liam Tunney

The last time someone not named Ian Paisley was the MP for North Antrim, the UK was yet to join the European Economic Community, the Troubles were just a year old, and colour television was the latest thing for most households.

A member of the Paisley family has held the seat for more than five decades, with ‘Junior’ holding it since 2010, when he saw off Jim Allister’s challenge with more than 12,000 votes to spare.