UUP conference: Burrows offers to work with fellow unionists in Westminster poll

If by turbulence you mean leaving former leader Beattie believing he had no choice but to quit and another, Nesbitt, being hung out to dry so badly he decided he had no option but to give up his beloved post as Health Minister, then we have had turbulence.

It’s thought that up to half his MLAs are estranged from him to the extent he had to appoint another of his critics, Robbie Butler, as Nesbitt’s replacement.

But Burrows seems oblivious – almost welcoming – of the chaos and if the last Lucid Talk opinion poll is to believed the punters love it.

The UUP on 16 per cent have overtaken the DUP. Burrows has an approval rating by some distance ahead of other unionist leaders.

But hang on a minute. If that’s going to translate into seats there are a couple of things which need changing.

The UUP’s archaic structures where constituency parties are all powerful does not lend itself to maximising the vote.

Secondly, he needs to come up with new dynamic candidates capable of competing for seats at Stormont.

The DUP are much better organised and have a good track record of fighting elections.

Burrows hasn’t even fought one. He needs results next May. Opinion polls and chaos will only take you so far.