In a move that underscores a remarkably swift political ascent, former senior police officer Jon Burrows has launched a bid to lead the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). The North Antrim MLA, who served for 22 years with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), is positioning himself as the fresh talent needed to revive the party's fortunes.
From Police Command to Political Commentary
Jon Burrows' career trajectory is nothing short of meteoric. After following his father, former RUC assistant chief constable Colin Burrows, into policing, he rose to significant roles within the PSNI. He served as Area Commander in Foyle, where he faced serious threats, including a 2012 dissident republican plot involving a bicycle bomb intended to kill officers.
He was also based in Derry in 2013 when Constable Philippa Reynolds, 27, tragically died in a crash with a stolen car. Mr Burrows later criticised the "paltry sentence" given to the driver convicted of manslaughter. His final policing role was as head of the PSNI's discipline branch.
Upon leaving the police service in 2023, he carved out a new niche as a vocal political commentator. Through his 'Burrows Blog' and media appearances, he frequently criticised policing decisions, notably blasting the disciplining of two junior officers after an arrest linked to a commemoration of the 1992 Sean Graham bookmakers attack as "one of the worst examples of leadership".
A Rapid Ascent to Stormont
Mr Burrows' political journey accelerated dramatically last summer. After what the UUP described as a "rigorous internal selection process with independent oversight", he was co-opted to fill an Assembly seat vacancy in North Antrim following the resignation of Colin Crawford. The party hailed him as an "exceptional individual".
Since arriving at Stormont, the Bangor-born MLA has been one of the chamber's most outspoken voices. An active member of the Education Committee, his interventions have ranged widely. He has accused Sinn Féin of "interference in policing", opposed what he calls the "distortion of history" around the Troubles, and advocated for prison dog Bailey at Magilligan.
Leadership Ambitions and Unionist Revival
Now, less than a year after dismissing leadership questions as not "serious", Jon Burrows is running for the UUP's top job alongside deputy leadership hopeful Diana Armstrong. He has spoken openly of his ambition to restore the once-dominant party of unionism "back to the helm".
His campaign emphasises a need for "fresh talent" and draws on a family history of public service, including pride in his grandfather Stanley Burrows, a D-Day hero. Whether his blend of frontline policing experience and recent political fire can resonate with party members will be tested in the coming contest.
His bid marks a pivotal moment for the Ulster Unionist Party as it seeks a new direction and a path to regaining its former political stature in Northern Ireland's evolving landscape.
