2008 saw Peter Robinson confirmed as the new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and as First Minister of Northern Ireland, with the Rev. Ian Paisley handing over power on the 4th June 2008. Shortly afterwards on the 12th June the DUP denied selling their Westminster votes to Gordon Brown to win concessions. In happy news, East Belfast MLA and councilor Robin Newton was awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours.

On the 16th June 2008 the President of the united States of America George W Bush, visited Northern Ireland on a farewell tour of Europe.

2008 also saw the Irish reject  the Lisbon Treaty which many suspected was the old EU Constitution in disguise. The rejection came amid claims that the New Labour Government in the UK had betrayed the British in holding a referendum. 

 George Best Belfast City Airport was in the news in 2008, as its owners put it up for sale. On the 17th October new plans indicated that up to an extra 3000 flights could be allowed.

A debate was started on airport noise with local residents and schools leading the way. The airport lodged a planning application to extend its runway at the end of 2008.

Katherine Bryan CEO of Northern Ireland Water quits her post in May 2008 after serious errors were discovered in forecasting. A report into the affair published in July highlighted management shortfalls and a possible breach of licence. In October another fiasco arose when it was discovered that about 5,800 Northern Ireland Water customers were overcharged. November saw rates deferred again.

2008 saw a world financial crisis, banks collapsing, marketing seizing, banks being nationalised in all but name. Gas companies hiking prices by 35% whilst declaring billion pound profits, oil prices rocket, dole queues grow and companies like Zoom, Woolworths, MFI going under with others such as Adams and Officer in administration.

 In 2008 the Ulster Unionist Party appeared to downsize moving from its party HQ at Cunningham House and agreeing a pact with the conservatives.

Also in 2008, Nigel Dodds removes the default retirement age, whilst Michael McGimpsey announces the eventual abolition of prescription charges 

The Voice of the DUP in 2008 was that of Iris Robinson as she over shadowed her husband in his role as First Minister. Iris sparked a national argument between the church, the state & the gay community, when she declared it was an abomination. Another female politician had the nation bemused when she declared on the issue of  ID Cards, 'I regularly have people coming up to me & saying they don't want to wait that long'