So, Ian Paisley is leaving the stage.
After 40 years as North Antrim MP, he has told my good friend Jim Flanagan at the Ballymena Guardian that someone else should be representing the constituency.
Next Monday night in Ballymena, he will outline his reasons and hand over the baton to his son Ian junior.
That will launch the mother of all election battles.
Jim Allister has been watching with interest and the TUV leader smells blood.
He says Ian Paisley was an outstanding MP in the early years but his record has been ruined by the decision to go into government with Sinn Fein.
With a good European election result to encourage him, Mr Allister believes the Unionist population will back him.
But he faces quite a task.
The DUP has a handsome majority and will take some over-turning.
Nonetheless, both sides are confident.
The big factor is the Paisley name.
Certainly, on Tuesday in Ballymena my colleague Jane Loughrey found the majority of people she stopped in the street said they believed Ian Paisley junior would win the seat.
Others, I know in the constituency, say it will be a close fight.
Jim Allister will also be encouraged by the thought a good performance would bring assembly seats.
Stand by for some hard punching over the next eight weeks.
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