1970-1974 Brian Faulkner (NI Executive) 1*
1974-1978 Ian Paisley (DUP) 2
1978-1983-James Molyneux UUP 3
1983-1987 James Molyneux (Power Sharing Executive)
1987-1991 Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP) 5
1991-1996 John Alderdice (Alliance ) 6
1. Faulkner leads first power sharing attempt with nationalists, Collapses after UWC strike
*-POD
2. Paisley adopts increasingly hardline tone, Demanding reintroduction of internment and B-Specials
Assasinated by INLA 2 days before Election.
3. Molyneux becomes PM after narrow win for moderate UUP. Talks with SDLP and Alliance leads to 2nd NI Executive.
4. IRA attack on Labour Conference at Brighton leads to DUP storming back to power at Stormont. Donaldson is proclaimed as "son of Paisley"
5.Sick of hardline attitudes of both unionist and republican parties. The Alliance becomes the party of protest and some covert support from the UK and Ireland, Alderdice becomes PM and helps to negotiate ceasefires in 1994.