COULD pothole politics be the future of unionism?

The concept has a strong Irish precedent, ironically.

Since the 1970s, the Republic has had independent councillors, TDs and even parties who campaign on fixing potholes to demonstrate their focus on practical delivery.

On social media last Sunday, UUP leader Jon Burrows posted: “Get your plans to sort potholes - not border polls”.

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He was responding to Michelle O’Neill predicting a border poll by 2030.

“It’s clear politics needs a reset and a relentless focus on fixing issues here in Northern Ireland and no better place to start that dealing with the tyre-shredding potholes,” he added.

Mr Burrows has put forward the same idea in more measured terms during recent interviews, calling for practical delivery and fewer arguments over constitutional and international affairs.

Taking up his post last Saturday, he said: “Under my leadership the Ulster Unionist Party will not be engaged in a culture war.”

Pothole politics at Stormont would work differently to elsewhere, as nobody needs to be bought off to prop up a government – everyone is almost guaranteed to be in office regardless.

Yet power-sharing also means an Executive can........

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