Jon Burrows to take UUP reins without a fight as he thanks 'outstanding' would-be rival Robbie Butler
Jon Burrows tonight praised the man he was preparing to battle for leadership of the UUP as he effectively becomes the new party chief by default.
Mr Burrows was the only candidate to have put his name forward to take over the role from Mike Nesbitt by the time the 5pm deadline arrived, after Robbie Butler – widely believed to have been his only potential rival – announced he would not run.
Mr Butler broke the news in a statement a few hours before the deadline.
Mr Burrows spoke only briefly tonight to say: “I want to acknowledge Robbie Butler’s gracious statement.
"He’s an outstanding MLA, and one of the reasons I joined Ulster Unionist politics.”
Mr Butler’s statement today did not mention Mr Burrows.
In it, Mr Butler said that whilst there had been “significant” support for his own leadership bid, “the direction many within the party now wish to pursue would be under a different leadership style and new focus”.
The UUP released its own statement, saying: “Following the announcement that Mike Nesbitt MLA would be standing down as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, the party initiated its leadership transition process, beginning with the opening of nominations.
"Nominations officially closed at 5pm today. We can confirm that Jon Burrows MLA has successfully met the nomination threshold of 35 signatures from at least nine constituency associations and will stand as a candidate for leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.
“The party will now move to the next stage of the leadership transition.
"The Party Management Board will meet to agree the next steps and finalise arrangements for leadership engagements and for the Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for January 31, 2026.
“Mike Nesbitt MLA will continue as party leader until a new leader is formally ratified.”