JON Burrows has had much to say since he became Ulster Unionist leader last month at a remarkably early stage in his political career, while so far providing little proof that he is capable of bringing some new thinking to the role.

However, if our devolved institutions are to avoid a collapse – which would probably prove permanent – before the elections scheduled for May of next year, Burrows, if he wishes, is still in a position to make a significant contribution.

His CV to date might normally just about qualify him for a stint as a district councillor, so he was hugely fortunate to be nominated as an Ulster Unionist MLA six months ago, noticeably only joining the party after he had addressed the TUV’s annual conference in April.

The way in which he was then swiftly installed as Ulster Unionist leader without ever having contested an election of any kind was verging on the ludicrous, but Burrows still had the self-confidence to convince rank and file members that he was capable of transforming their fortunes.

While his fellow MLAs were plainly less than impressed with his manoeuvring, and have kept their distance from him, their failure to run against him means that they can hardly complain about his elevation.

His appeal was........

© The Irish News