Why did DUP leader Peter Robinson choose the apostles he wants to follow him?

“We may have been surprised that Sinn Fein took Education but we are more than happy that Sinn Fein is not the primary face of Northern Ireland economically abroad.” This is inner sanctum DUP thinking on Arlene Foster’s chance to retain DETI.
Perhaps Health was the most surprising and controversial ministerial appointment made by Peter Robinson who acted conservatively in choosing his team of ministers. In a sense he took the view ‘if it ain’t broken don’t fix it?’ Sources close to the DUP leader said “it was a case of holding the winning team together.”
There was genuine surprise at the appointment of Edwin Poots to Health. Jim Wells who had distinguished himself as chairman of the Health Committee appeared crestfallen in the Great Hall in the wake of Peter Robinson’s share out of the spoils. He was left waiting at the altar yet again with a promise of high office in two years time when responsibilities will be rotated. So why did Mr Poots get the call yet again over Mr Wells? The fact is Poots is quite shrewd in staying close to old money bags Sammy Wilson deemed by the DUP to be one of the ‘best intellectuals’ in their camp. In Peter Robinson’s eyes Poots “is his own man, not a creature of his civil servants.” He is viewed to be assertive and to be a decision maker. He is being credited with overhauling planning and cutting the time it takes to get a single planning application through the system. Insiders are promoting other reasons to justify the appointment of the Lagan Valley Assembly member to Health. It is being contended no-one could be dropped in ‘cold’ without ministerial experience to espouse the Health portfolio. One source added “there is a need to modernise Health. To go to that Department you need first degree ministerial experience and Edwin is well placed to do this. He has to work in a difficult place to realise those changes. He has a track record of working with the Department of Finance to bring about this change.” There wasn’t any question of replacing Sammy Wilson at Finance. He is highly regarded at the Executive table and on his feet in the Chamber. His young wingman Simon Hamilton who will learn his craft over the next two years is considered a rising star in the DUP and was rewarded for his diligence and performance in the media and Chamber having gained valuable experience on the DSD committee. Nelson Mc Causland delivered in the election in North Belfast and came through as far as his boss is concerned without dropping a ball ministerially in DCAL. DSD is seen as a big urban remit well suited to Mr McCausland. Arlene Foster is the darling of the DUP repeatedly labelled ‘a star performer.’ A few young Turks have broken through after so little time in the Assembly, among them Jonathan Bell who is now a junior minister. His background is in Social Work and has been involved in politics at local government level for more than a decade. The party hierarchy quite like his feisty style in the Chamber. He is getting his break essentially in the environs of his jockey Peter Robinson. Paul Frew represents new blood coming in from the country in North Antrim. He has a background in Agriculture and will chair the DARD committee. Paul Givan of Lagan Valley who has an interest in Justice becomes chairman of the Justice Committee. These are two young men clearly marked out for higher things.