Independent unionist MEP Jim Allister has announced the formation of a new unionist party opposed to powersharing at Stormont.
Mr Allister, who quit the DUP in March after it decided to enter the Executive alongside Sinn Féin, said the new movement would reflect unionist grassroots concern.
Traditional Unionist Voice is organising in 12 of the 18 Northern constituencies and aiming to provide organisation for local councillors who resigned from the Rev Ian Paisley's party in protest at the accommodation with republicans. However, there are no immediate plans to contest elections.
"The Traditional Unionist Voice will occupy the traditional unionist ground so wantonly abandoned by others for the sake of office," he said.
"Tens of thousands of unionists feel sickened and deflated by the spectacle of IRA/Sinn Féin at the heart of our government, having been put there by those they trusted in the past.
"To them I say, you are not alone, ours is an honourable and legitimate view and together we can make it count." Former Ulster Unionist MP William Ross and Orange Order Grand Chaplain, the Rev Stephen Dickinson have aligned themselves with the new grouping.
Mr Dickinson said: "Many within the Christian community and the Orange family have been disgusted with the delivery of IRA/Sinn Féin into government. Many feel totally betrayed by the DUP's U-turn on fundamental issues and the ease with which they can work so happily together with self-confessed IRA men and convicted terrorists."
Mr Allister easily topped the poll for the DUP at the last European Parliament elections in 2004.
Small unionist organisations which rival the DUP have not fared well. Candidates opposing the DUP position on powersharing within the Stormont institutions did particularly badly at last March's Assembly poll.
Robert McCartney's United Kingdom Unionist Party lost out badly. Other similar groupings, including the Northern Ireland Unionist Party, now have no representation at Stormont whatsoever.