His election was also an indication that rank and file unionists were unhappy with the government's vision of the future for Northern Ireland, set out in the so-called FrameworkDocuments, and wanted to see firm leadership at the top of their party.
As the row over the government's proposed changes to the planning system continues the Communities and Local Government Committee takes its first look at one of the documents which will inform decisions in future, the Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).