THE new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Jon Burrows, caused some consternation when he initially refused to publicly confirm that Mike Nesbitt would be remaining as health minister.

This despite the fact that the incumbent had made it clear it was his “personal preference” to remain in post.

Days later, when Burrows unveiled his senior leadership team at Parliament Buildings, the political position of the health minister was clarified.

He confirmed that Mr Nesbitt will keep the party’s only portfolio “right until the end of this electoral mandate” and will “do more to transform the health service”.

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It seemed highly improbable that Burrows would remove him. Appointing a third Ulster Unionist health minister in two years would have been a strategic blunder, an act of hubris causing internal and external ructions.

He is hardly spoiled for choice for replacements. Indeed, it seems likely that the only other candidate in the frame was Burrows himself.

This confusion raises the question of who would want to be the health minister?

When Stormont was in abeyance, politicians from the DUP and Sinn Féin never missed an opportunity to pontificate about the importance of getting to grips with our failing healthcare system.

Yet when push came to shove, they dodged this portfolio, agreeing instead for the smallest party in the Executive to take the reins.

The role of the health minister has been described as the toughest job in........

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