Is a merger of the Unionist Parties possible?

1.05.07pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 30th May 2008

Outgoing Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Ian Paisley has raised the prospect of a merger of the main Unionist Parties.

I would have thought now that the biggest stumbling block - Ian Paisley himself - has been removed it is possible but far from probable.

I suspect what will be more likely is a working together in elections, but probably stopping short of electoral pacts.