SIMON Hamilton (29) had joined the DUP only two months when he "buggered off to a Caribbean island on honeymoon during the last Assembly elections, " complains a DUP colleague in mock disapproval.

This time, Hamilton (pictured right with Iris Robinson) stayed at home and was rewarded richly.

His rise has been rapid within the party.

"He's hard-working, razor sharp, personable and he likes good food and drink, " says a friend.

Hamilton admits to being recruited to the DUP "over a Chinese meal" by the party's communications director, Tim Johnson. Both young men had previously chaired the Queen's University Unionist Association.

Johnson had defected from the UUP to the DUP and wanted Hamilton to join him and work for the DUP press office.

"It was a hard choice. I was working as an accountant for Price Waterhouse Coopers and my career was going well.

But I made the jump and I've never regretted it.

"I was made to feel more welcome in the DUP in one week than in the UUP over five years. The Doc may be older than other political leaders but he's always pushing young talent.

Nobody ever encouraged you in the UUP."

Hamilton is a big cricket and rugby fan. He is married to Nicki; they have a baby son.

DUP success is based on "the personal touch, " he says. "We knocked on 33,000 doors in Strangford - twice. UUP election literature was delivered to my door by a private company who were also delivering Lidl leaflets.

That's the difference between our parties."

His own campaign was eventful: "I fell down a man-hole and had to be helped out by my election team. They said I was so shocked, I didn't even swear!"