‘We are ready to lead’: Jon Burrows sets out new UUP pitch for unionism and Northern Ireland

Ulster Unionist Party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows speaking on Saturday at the party’s annual conference

Saturday 26 September 2026

Ulster Unionist Party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has declared his party “ready to lead” as he used his first annual conference speech as leader to set out a broader plan for rebuilding unionism — and a policy programme centred on children, families, housing, infrastructure and reform of government.

Addressing delegates on Saturday, Mr Burrows argued that unionism could no longer rely on better managing its existing vote and instead needed to persuade people who have stopped voting, win back those who have moved to other parties and give younger voters a reason to support the Union.

“We are entitled to nothing, and we must earn everything,” he told the conference, in one of the clearest statements of the political strategy he wants the UUP to pursue.

A party ready to lead

Mr Burrows opened his address by declaring that both unionism and Northern Ireland were at a “crossroads”, contrasting what he described as a choice between managing or growing the unionist vote with a wider choice for Northern Ireland between “stagnation and progress”.

Referring to the DUP’s recent conference message, he said: “Conference, the country recently heard from a party that said it was ready to FIGHT.

“Today, I want them to hear from a party that is ready to LEAD.”

The speech was Mr Burrows’ first annual UUP conference address since becoming party leader in January. He was selected as a North Antrim MLA in August 2025 following the resignation of Colin Crawford.

With combined Northern Ireland Assembly and council elections scheduled for 6 May 2027, the conference also provided an early indication of the platform on which Mr Burrows intends to take the party into its first major electoral test under his leadership.

Making the case for the Union

Mr Burrows said the UUP had made a strategic decision to go “on the front foot” in promoting Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, pointing to defence and security, the UK internal market and the NHS among the arguments he believes unionists should make more forcefully.

“We cannot expect the next generation to inherit an allegiance we have failed to explain,” he said.

“We must make the case for our Union clearly, confidently and in the practical terms that matter to people’s lives.”

He again challenged Sinn Féin vice-president and First Minister Michelle O’Neill to debate him directly on Northern Ireland’s constitutional future.

“So I lay down that challenge again today. I don’t expect she will ever take me up on it, but the offer is there, loud and clear.

“Michelle, pick it up or run away. Anytime. Anywhere.”

A warning to unionism itself

However, some of Mr Burrows’ strongest criticism was reserved for decisions taken within unionism.

He argued that unionist political strategy had too often been short-term, telling delegates: “Volume has been confused with strength and tactics with strategy.”

He criticised the reduction in the size of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 108 to 90 seats and attacked the handling of post-Brexit arrangements, including claims surrounding the Irish Sea border.

Mr Burrows also strongly rejected another collapse of the devolved institutions as a strategy for challenging Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit arrangements.

“I believe in fixing Stormont, not collapsing it,” he said.

“Collapse would be one of the most destructive choices unionists could make. I have heard talk recently of gift-wrapping seats to Sinn Féin. Collapsing Stormont could gift-wrap Northern Ireland to Sinn Féin.”

He argued that suspension would hand power back to Westminster and potentially increase the Irish Government’s consultative role, concluding: “Friends, our country needs smarter unionism.”

Electoral cooperation cannot be the whole answer

Mr Burrows said unionist parties should discuss electoral cooperation and seek to maximise turnout and transfers, while acknowledging that nationalism had been more successful in motivating its supporters to vote.

At Westminster level, he specifically identified Lagan Valley and East Londonderry as constituencies where he believes unionist parties should consider cooperation.

“I commit to playing our part in expanding unionist representation at Westminster,” he said.

But he insisted cooperation could not amount to “one party always giving and another always taking” and warned that agreements between parties would not address the underlying problem facing unionism.

“Better management of the votes we already have is not a growth strategy.

“We need to bring out those who stay at home, earn back those who have moved elsewhere, communicate differently and give young people a reason to vote unionist for the first time.”

Mr Burrows said his invitation for people to “come home” to the UUP also placed an obligation on the party to change.

“Coming home works both ways. It means that we must also come home to you.

“Your worries must be our worries. Your aspirations must become our policies, and your problems our priorities to solve.”

Direct appeal to Alliance voters

A significant section of the speech was aimed at voters who previously supported unionist parties but have since backed Alliance.

Mr Burrows accused Alliance of moving towards nationalism and criticised its record in the Executive, including Justice Minister Naomi Long and Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir. He also attacked proposed legislation relating to conversion practices and flags and emblems.

His claims about Alliance’s record, the proposed legislation and the performance of individual ministers were political criticisms made in his conference address.

“And I make a direct plea to those who lent Alliance their vote,” he said.

“If you feel abandoned by Alliance, come home to a party that believes in a Northern Ireland for everyone, but in which competence and common sense still exist.”

Victims and the legacy of the Troubles

Mr Burrows also devoted part of his address to the legacy of the Troubles, arguing that political leaders had a responsibility both to build a better future and ensure victims were not forgotten.

He paid tribute to members of the armed forces and the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC and said the UUP would continue scrutinising legacy legislation and advocating for what it regards as fair treatment for former security force personnel.

Referring to the Omagh Bombing Inquiry and wider legacy investigations, he said the party would continue pressing the UK and Irish governments over cooperation and information for victims.

Mr Burrows said conversations with people bereaved or traumatised during the Troubles had also convinced him that seeking truth and justice did not have to prevent Northern Ireland moving forward.

“We can tell the truth about the past and still choose to build the future,” he said.

A stronger start for children

The second half of the speech moved substantially from constitutional and party politics into the domestic programme Mr Burrows wants the UUP to develop.

He described its central idea as a chain linking “strong individuals”, “strong families”, “strong communities”, a stronger Northern Ireland and ultimately a stronger United Kingdom.

At the heart of that programme, he said, would be giving children a better start in life.

Mr Burrows said schools he had visited had raised concerns with him about children missing developmental milestones, educational delays and behavioural problems.

“We are facing a crisis that, left unaddressed, will not only limit the lives of young people but also drive an exponential increase in future economic inactivity,” he told delegates.

“This is one of the defining challenges of our time.”

He said the UUP would put early years provision at the centre of its work, calling for more preschool places and practical support for parents alongside less screen time, more play, improved nutrition and greater physical activity for children.

Reading as a national strategy

Mr Burrows went further by proposing that reading should become a “national strategy”, including efforts to put physical books into children’s hands and help parents who lack confidence in their own reading.

“Reading should become a national strategy, with plans that put a physical book in a child’s hands and help parents who lack confidence in their own reading to enjoy a story with their children,” he said.

“Ideas do not have to be complex to be profound: more reading, less scrolling, more exercise, better nutrition, and parents getting the support they need.”

He argued that early intervention could have consequences extending well beyond education, potentially improving health and wellbeing while reducing future economic inactivity.

Keeping families together

Mr Burrows said another objective should be making it easier for young people to build their lives in Northern Ireland rather than leaving because opportunities are unavailable.

“A young person should be able to study or train here, find worthwhile work here, build a home and start a family.

“If they choose to travel, they should see a route home.”

He called for more university places for Northern Ireland students, equal recognition of vocational and academic achievement, action on problems within apprenticeships and more affordable childcare.

On childcare support, he argued that increases in allowances could feed through into higher fees charged by providers, describing it as “an inflationary cycle that needs to be sorted”.

Wastewater crisis is separating families

Mr Burrows then connected one of Northern Ireland’s biggest infrastructure problems directly to housing and family life.

He said inadequate wastewater infrastructure was preventing homes from being built in towns and villages and forcing some young families away from communities where relatives could otherwise provide childcare and support.

“I’ve met too many couples who were forced to move away from grandparents who help with childcare, or from the school they want for their children, because houses can’t be built due to our wastewater crisis,” he said.

“A village loses its next generation because nobody fixed a pipe.

“That is what failed infrastructure looks like in real life. It separates families.”

Councils told to get back to basics

With Assembly and local government elections due to be held together in May 2027, Mr Burrows also set out what he described as a “back to basics” agenda for councils.

He called for greater focus on cleaner streets, timely planning decisions, quality amenities, reliable refuse collection, town centres and local economic regeneration.

The UUP leader criticised councils for spending time on what he called “pet projects” and debates on international affairs, arguing that councillors should concentrate on services they can directly influence.

Plans to reform Stormont and government

Mr Burrows also promised a wider programme of institutional reform, arguing that Northern Ireland needed an Assembly that made decisions, ministers who could be held accountable for results and an effective opposition.

One proposal would see the titles of First Minister and deputy First Minister equalised to reflect the equal authority of the two offices, while retaining cross-community protections.

He also called for what he described as a radical review of public procurement, reform of the planning system and a “reset” of the Northern Ireland Civil Service focused on delivery.

Mr Burrows said the UUP also wanted mechanisms through which MLAs who commit serious crimes could forfeit their pensions. The speech did not set out the detailed legal mechanism, threshold or offences that would apply to such a proposal.

A different electoral pitch for the UUP

Taken together, the speech represented more than an argument about which unionist party could best manage votes or electoral agreements. Mr Burrows sought to link the future of the Union to whether Northern Ireland itself can become more successful and deliver better outcomes for people.

“Friends, the choice before unionism is clear. Manage the same vote or go out and earn the trust of people we have yet to reach,” he said.

“And the choice before Northern Ireland is just as clear. Settle for peace as the destination or now make it the launchpad.”

Closing his first annual conference address as leader, Mr Burrows said the UUP would seek to give children a stronger start, help families remain together, strengthen communities and reform government.

“We will secure the Union through the success of Northern Ireland, for everyone who lives here. And we will champion Northern Ireland and promote the Union like it’s never been done before.

“That is new leadership. That is real change. That is what it means to be stronger together.

“We are ready to lead. Now let us get to work.”