Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
Incumbent
Jon Burrows MLA
since 31 January 2026
AppointerElected by party
Inaugural holderEdward James Saunderson
Formation1905
DeputyDiana Armstrong (since 2026)

The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party is the most senior position within the party ranks. Since 2026 the leader has been Jon Burrows MLA.[1]

List

No. Image Name Term start Term end Notes Deputy
1 Colonel Edward Saunderson 1905 1906 Also leader of the Irish Unionist Parliamentary Party
2 Walter Hume Long 1906 1910 Also leader of the Irish Unionist Parliamentary Party
3 Sir Edward Carson 1910 1921 Also leader of the Irish Unionist Parliamentary Party
4 The Viscount Craigavon 1921 1940 1st Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
5 John Miller Andrews 1940 1943 2nd Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
6 The Viscount Brookeborough 1943 1963 3rd Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
7 Captain Terence O'Neill 1963 1969 4th Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
8 James Chichester-Clark 1969 1971 5th Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
9 Brian Faulkner 1971 1974 6th and final Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
10 Harry West 1974 1979
11 James Molyneaux 1979 1995
12 David Trimble 1995 2005 First Minister of Northern Ireland
13 Sir Reg Empey 2005 2010
14 Tom Elliott 2010 2012
15 Mike Nesbitt 2012 2017 Leader of the Opposition
16 Robin Swann 8 March 2017 9 November 2019
17 Steve Aiken 9 November 2019 27 May 2021
18 Doug Beattie 27 May 2021 30 August 2024
15
(2)		 Mike Nesbitt 30 August 2024 31 January 2026 Minister of Health Robbie Butler
19 Jon Burrows 31 January 2026 Diana Armstrong

See also

References

  1. ^ "UUP: Jon Burrows looks set to become next leader". www.bbc.com. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
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