Former senior police officer Jon Burrows is on the cusp of becoming the next leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) after emerging as the sole contender for the role.
Uncontested Path to Leadership
The UUP confirmed that Mr Burrows was the only candidate to succeed outgoing leader Mike Nesbitt after the nomination period closed at 5pm on Thursday, 15 January 2026. He had successfully met the nomination threshold, which required 35 signatures from at least nine constituency associations.
Mr Burrows, the North Antrim MLA, is making a joint bid for leadership alongside Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong, who is running to become the party's next deputy leader. The pair announced their candidacy at a press conference at Stormont last week.
Butler Steps Aside
Lagan Valley MLA and current deputy leader Robbie Butler had been widely speculated to enter the race. However, in a statement released to the Press Association, he confirmed he would not be putting his name forward.
Mr Butler stated that while he had received significant support to stand from across the party's elected offices and membership, it had become "apparent to me and my team that the direction many within the party now wish to pursue would be under a different leadership style and new focus."
He emphasised his belief that Northern Ireland needs a "confident, positive, modern unionism with a strong social conscience" and pledged to engage with the new leadership team, adhering to the principle of "country first, party second."
Transition Timeline and Party Future
The party's management board is now set to meet to agree on the next steps, finalising arrangements for leadership engagements and an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for 31 January 2026. Mike Nesbitt will continue as party leader until a new leader is formally ratified at that meeting.
Mr Nesbitt, the Stormont Health Minister, announced earlier this month his intention to step down, stating he wished to allow someone new to lead the UUP into the next Northern Ireland Assembly elections, which are expected in 2027.
This marks the end of Nesbitt's second tenure as UUP leader; he previously led the party between 2012 and 2017. The UUP, once the dominant unionist force in Northern Ireland, was overtaken by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Assembly seat numbers in 2003.
