David Thompson: The Ulster Unionist Party is back - and for the first time in decades there's a real choice for voters

Saturday’s conference in Belfast had an energy about it which hasn’t been seen for some time, with many of the speakers relative newcomers – including the leader.

There was no doubt about the purpose – this is a party that wants to lead unionism and do things differently from the DUP.

Burrows’s popularity in the room was clear to see, and he received a rapturous reception when entering the hall to deliver his leader’s speech.

At various points over the past eight months, it has looked like the entire party might implode. Burrows had a fractious relationship with his MLA group in Stormont, and it appeared, at times, that could be irreparable.

For months, it was remarked upon that many of his most senior figures wouldn’t appear in photographs or at press conferences with him. How times change.

Even Mike Nesbitt, who must surely feel wounded after his resignation as health minister following a row with the leader, turned up. Not only that, he appeared on stage with him.

But the former leader shares something with many of his colleagues – a deep loyalty to the party. That couldn’t have been demonstrated more clearly than when he chose to take on the leadership again in 2024 – because nobody else would.

That situation showed the malaise the UUP was in. It had nobody with the passion and a vision to take it on and lead it.

It should have been tempting. The DUP has led unionism for two decades. That is an extraordinary length of time for a party to stay on top, yet the UUP didn’t seem to have the appetite to challenge them.

That has changed. Now, the UUP’s message is that it wants to lead unionism – and grow it.

Some argue that there is such little difference between the two parties that it makes no sense to have them competing. Yet there are clear differences, some of which were on display on Saturday.

Take Drumcree. Jon Burrows has taken a very different approach from the other unionist leaders on the issue.

During his address, he began by saying it had “caused this country huge problems”. He did not call for a parade down the Garvaghy Road, he called for the rule of law to be respected.

He also said resolutions need to be found “without relitigating the past” and to “think of the biggest strategic interest – and that is of our entire community and of unionism in general”.

The remarks were off the cuff. But they captured a wider mood within his party which many will say privately but not publicly – that a Drumcree parade is a strategic mistake.

That view is widely held in unionism, and within the loyal orders. Some see Drumcree as a vote winner for the DUP, but it could just as easily blow up in its face.

Jon Burrows has a long road ahead before he can unseat the DUP at the top of the unionist tree. But he is offering something that might just appeal to enough disaffected unionist voters to tip the scales.

That is, he is an unashamed unionist and passionate about Northern Ireland and its place in the UK – but leads a party that wants to be a mainstream and open to all.

There is also a lot of work to be done on policy ahead of the election – they must offer a clear vision which is workable, affordable and not just a wish-list of various lobbyists’ demands.

But it will be a fascinating fight.