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Arlene Foster may be new DUP leader but little change expected

DUP leader-in-waiting Arlene Foster. Pic by Niall Carson, PA Wire<br />.
DUP leader-in-waiting Arlene Foster. Pic by Niall Carson, PA Wire
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DUP leader-in-waiting Arlene Foster. Pic by Niall Carson, PA Wire
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NOT so long ago the prospect of a female leading the DUP would've been as unpalatable to the membership as giving the top job to a former Ulster Unionist.

However, it seems both these one-time anathemas have now been embraced by the party that used to rank as the north's most conservative.

Whether it was through an unusual twist of fate or Machiavelian choreography is a matter of some debate, but with nominations closing last night with only one name put forward, Arlene Foster is now DUP leader-in-waiting.

So will the Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA's elevation to the top job signal any significant switch in direction for the DUP?

As one might expect from someone who's yet to be officially endorsed, Ms Foster has indicated that she doesn't plan to do things radically different from her predecessor.

It could be argued that she's received such solid support on the basis that she isn't planning to transform party policy, yet her Church of Ireland roots and UUP past place the finance minister firmly on the modernising wing of the DUP, which these day tends to pay more attention to economics than ecumenicalism.

The influence of the 'old' faction within the party has certainly diminished in recent years but the new figurehead will be keen not to alienate the Free Presbyterian grass roots and is unlikely to advocate the adoption of a more secular agenda on issues such as same sex marriage and abortion.

While she is unapologetically unionist and a supporter of the Orange Order, her perspective is more 'rural' than the uncompromising hardline of her urban counterparts who regularly showed up at Camp Twaddell.

However, the leader's role involves not only engagement with her own party but with others and most importantly Sinn Féin, the DUP's main partners in government.

While Ms Foster's childhood experiences mean she has many reasons to dislike republicans, her acrimony has never manifested itself in bigotry against the broader Catholic and nationalist community.

Even Sinn Féin insiders recognise her pragmatism and professionalism.

Articulate, intelligent and decidedly more personable than Peter Robinson, the new DUP leader's tenure will initially be marked by steady continuity.

However, if politics in the north is to advance at all her progressive side must ultimately come to the fore.