Editorial: Critics of Jon Burrows in the Ulster Unionist Party seem to be hiding behind anonymity - why did no one challenge him in a leadership election?
News Letter editorial for Wednesday, June 3, 2026:
The row in the Ulster Unionist Party is a very unfortunate saga that could be the undoing of that party.
We write that with sadness because this newspaper has long resisted writing the obituary of the UUP and the SDLP. While plenty of observers sneer at those two parties and repeatedly predict their demise, we have pointed out that – combined – they easily outpoll the Alliance Party. In fact both parties on their own still routinely get more votes than Alliance did for many years after the Belfast Agreement. If they are finished then why is Alliance talked about as if it is an emerging great hope for the future?
The truth is that around 200,000 voters want to mark their view on the constitutional question by supporting parties that make that their key issue yet do not want to switch allegiance to Alliance, DUP or Sinn Fein.
The Ulster Unionists are fortunate to have Jon Burrows, not because he is a flawless leader – in truth he is new to politics and has much to learn about it – but because he comes across as competent and he has an impressive former career record in policing. He is striking a chord with unionists as is the most popular unionist leader and is liked by UUP grassroots.
It is a great pity that there has been a schism with Doug Beattie, who was another unionist who had an impressive former career. Such personalities are a badly needed addition to politics, which at Stormont often seems to be lacking in talent.
Mr Beattie did, however, make his position clear and leave the UUP. Meanwhile, Stephen Nolan is reporting that three MLAs are sniping against Mr Burrows anonymously. We have also reported on such apparent unhappiness in the Ulster Unionist MLA grouping. Fine. Then why did none of these critics challenge him in a leadership election? Why do they not have the courage of their convictions to explain their position in public and let others decide?