NEWS

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Leader Jon Burrows MLA, with party colleague, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA Northern Ireland must continue to show up on the global stage or risk being left behind, Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows MLA has said, following what he described as a “high impact” visit to Washington DC aimed at promoting the region’s economic and strategic strengths. Representing both Northern Ireland and his party in the US capital, Burrows positioned the trip a

Recent flooding in the Antrim area. (Pic: Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM) A stark admission from Stormont has laid bare failings in the initial response to January’s flooding in Antrim, with South Antrim MP Robin Swann  warning that residents were left vulnerable as unsuitable equipment struggled to keep pace with rising waters. In a letter responding to his concerns, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins  confirmed that early efforts to tackle flooding in the Riverside area were i

Sinn Féin political banner opposite Ballycastle Presbyterian Church, and the banner subsequently removed. A political banner placed opposite a church in Ballycastle ahead of St Patrick’s Day has been swiftly removed after concerns were raised by North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows , who said the move helped protect the town’s tradition of positive cross-community relations. The Ulster Unionist Party leader said the large Sinn Féin banner had appeared opposite Ballycastle Presbyteria

(L-R) Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, John Stewart MLA, Jon Burrows MLA, Prime Minister KeirStarmer, Secretary of State Hillary Benn MP and Chief Executive Jayne Murray. Ulster Unionist Party leaders have pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer to deliver targeted support for households reliant on heating oil and increase defence investment in Northern Ireland during what they described as a “frank and constructive” meeting in Belfast. Party leader Jon Burrows MLA met the Prime Minister

South Antrim MP Robin Swann outside Parliament A looming funding crisis threatening vital community services across Northern Ireland has prompted South Antrim MP Robin Swann to challenge the Prime Minister to intervene directly. In a letter sent to 10 Downing Street, Mr Swann warned that thousands of vulnerable people could lose critical support unless changes are made to the UK Government’s new Local Growth Fund, which will replace the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The MP said

Pictured Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA, Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee TD and Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA A meeting between Ulster Unionist Party leaders and Ireland’s Foreign Minister has placed legacy issues from the Troubles and regional security firmly back on the political agenda. Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA , accompanied by Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA , met Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee TD on Monday (February 9) in what he described as a “constructiv

Entrance to the Massereene Barracks site in Antrim, and inset, Sappers Patrick Azimkar (left) and Mark Quinsey (right), who were shot dead outside the Barracks gates in 2009. Seventeen years on from one of the most shocking acts of violence in post-Agreement Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party will marked the anniversary of the Massereene Barracks attack, on Saturday (7 March), remembering two soldiers killed and others wounded in the 2009 shooting in Antrim. On 7 Mar

Councillor Alan Barr Residents in Drumtara who have waited years for long-promised housing upgrades now face the prospect of further delays — or even cancellation — as mounting budget pressures threaten planned improvement schemes. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has raised alarm after being informed in recent days that renovation works in the area may not proceed as expected. The planned improvements include new kitchens and bathrooms for homes, but uncertainty ha

Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton in Clough Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton have issued a stark warning over dangerous speeding in Clough and Rathkenny, saying it is only a matter of time before a serious injury or fatality occurs unless urgent action is taken. The issue emerged while the pair were leafleting in the area, where residents expressed frustration and fear over vehicles travelling at

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA, writing in The Orange Standard calls for “Unionism for the Future” Unionism stands at a crossroads — and its next chapter, according to Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows , will be shaped by whether it thinks long-term, works together and delivers for everyday people. Writing in the March 2026 edition of The Orange Standard, the official publication of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland , the Jon Burrows  sets out a candid an

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows People living with Parkinson’s in Ballymena are being invited to speak directly to their local MLA about the pressures they are facing — particularly around delayed healthcare appointments, treatments and medications. On Friday 20 March, Jon Burrows, MLA for North Antrim and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, will meet members of the Parkinson’s community at Ballymena North Business Centre from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The

Energy costs in Northern Ireland are surging again — and political pressure is mounting for urgent scrutiny. The Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party  (UUP), North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows , has written to the Utility Regulator seeking assurances that energy providers will not use escalating international tensions as justification for what he describes as unjustified or excessive price increases. His intervention comes as households across Northern Ireland face sharp rises in ho

Inset: South Antrim MP Robin Swann Northern Ireland is poised to finally introduce its own version of Lucy’s Law — but concerns remain that determined breeders could still sidestep the rules by selling animals across the water. South Antrim MP Robin Swann  has welcomed a commitment from Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir  to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland. However, he has warned that a “grey area” in current regulations could undermine the l

Ballymoney Train Station Plans to expand parking at Ballymoney Train Station have moved a step closer after the Minister for Infrastructure confirmed that funding has been allocated to support the project, with North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows welcoming the development. In a written response to a question from Mr Burrows, the Minister confirmed that the Department for Infrastructure has allocated funding enabling Translink to purchase a site on Meeting House Street, directly adja

21-year-old Chloe Mitchell who was murdered in June 2023 in Ballymena North Antrim elected representatives have called on the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) to grant a dispensation in its ongoing strike action to allow the trial of the individual charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell to proceed as planned. The appeal comes as a deadline to prevent further delays in the Chloe Mitchell trial is fast approaching. Six representatives — Sian Mullholland MLA, Timothy Gaston MLA

South Antrim MP Robin Swann   South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to make urgent investment in the deteriorating road network surrounding Belfast International Airport and the M2 motorway, warning that the current condition poses safety risks and damages vehicles on one of Northern Ireland’s most important transport corridors. Highlighting the scale of the problem, Mr Swann said the state of the roads serving the airport and M2 w

Mid and East Antrim’s Ulster Unionist Party Group on Council The Mid and East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Group has voted against the Council’s decision to increase domestic and non-domestic district rates by 2.95 per cent. The vote was taken at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday 9 February, when councillors approved the rates increase for the coming financial year. The group includes (in alphabetical order), Councillor Alan Barr (Braid), Counc

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA hails a new chapter for Unionism in Northern Ireland, pictured with deputy leader Diana Armstrong MLA during the recent Party leadership ratification At a time when questions continue to be raised about whether current funding levels are sufficient to meet Northern Ireland’s growing political, economic and social challenges, Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has said that resources alone will not secure the future of th

Ulster Unionist Party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has warned that ending academic selection in Northern Ireland would undermine parental choice and distract from the real pressures facing schools, during a debate in the Assembly on Tuesday (3 January). Mr Burrows was speaking during consideration of a private members’ motion tabled by Sinn Féin South Down MLA Cathy Mason , which calls for a time-bound plan to end academic selection and transfer tests as part of p

(L-R) Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Jon Burrows and fellow North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston (TUV) Jon Burrows MLA has raised serious concerns in the Northern Ireland Assembly over the proportionality of a sanction recommended against his North Antrim colleague, Timothy Gaston MLA , warning that the response risks undermining fairness, free expression and public confidence in political accountability. Speaking during an Assembly debate this week, Mr Burrows questioned whether