Ulster Unionists to anoint new leader
North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows is set to become the latest leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, after incumbent deputy leader Robbie Butler MLA confirmed that he will not seek election.
Former police inspector Jon Burrows MLA is to become the new leader of Northern Ireland’s oldest party, with his leadership signalling a potential move to the right in line with the DUP and TUV.
Burrows’ rise to the top is the culmination of a six-month political career. Immediately after joining the party, he was co-opted into the Assembly in August 2025. He replaced another co-optee, Colin Crawford, who had been co-opted to replace former leader Robin Swann MP in Stormont after Swann was elected to Westminster in July 2024.
Burrows will become the fourth of the UUP’s current crop of nine MLAs to be leader, although Mike Nesbitt MLA has been leader on two occasions. In addition, two of the UUP’s members of the House of Lord and its House of Commons MP have all been leader on at least one occasion each. He also becomes the first Assembly co-optee to become a party leader prior to ever standing in an election.
The new leader-elect describes himself as an “unapologetic unionist who will always advocate confidently for Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom”. Under his leadership, Burrows says the UUP will be “clear, credible, and on the front foot”.
Burrows succeeds Strangford MLA and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt as party leader. Nesbitt has confirmed he will not seek re-election to the Assembly, but it is not yet clear whether Burrows intends to replace him as Minister.
Nesbitt announced his resignation on 2 January 2026. In a statement, he said: “The next five-year mandate stretches to May 2032, the month I hope to celebrate my 75th birthday. That is a commitment to full-time politics I just do not feel I can make. And I would not be comfortably seeking a vote knowing that privately I was intending to retire during the mandate.”
In addition to its new leader, the UUP is set to appoint Diana Armstrong MLA as its new deputy leader. Armstrong was co-opted into the Assembly in September 2024, replacing Tom Elliott, who was made a member of the House of Lords.
Burrows is expected to assume office on 31 January 2026.
