Ulster Unionist MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson has made a passionate plea for unionist unity.
He said his party should work with the rival Democratic Unionists to change planned British government reforms of policing in Northern Ireland.
Mr Donaldson told a Royal Black Institution gathering in Derry that unity was essential if unionism was to be rebuilt after years of bitter wrangling and splits.
"As a political movement, we cannot afford the splintering that has resulted in six different unionist parties in the Assembly and crucial Westminster seats like Fermanagh and South Tyrone lost to republicans.
"I for one wish to see greater unionist unity and I will strike to achieve that end," he said.
Mr Donaldson said he believed his party should respond positively to a call from the Reverend Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists that the two parties work together on the crucial issue of policing.
The implementation plan on the issue of policing reforms was recently put to local politicians by the Irish and British governments as they sought to break the deadlock threatening the political process in Northern Ireland.
The police plan has been rejected by Sinn Fein, but accepted by the nationalist SDLP. Unionists have yet to make up their minds.
Mr Donaldson said the plan was 'unacceptable' and would seriously undermine the ability of the RUC to police the community against a backdrop of increasing crime on the streets and a growing terrorist threat.
The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson MP, agreed and said if the two parties worked together they could get changes out of Northern Secretary Dr John Reid.
PA