The leader of the UK Unionists, Robert McCartney, today appealed to his supporters to back the Democratic Unionists in the Westminster elections.
Mr McCartney, a former MP for North Down, who decided not to contest the general election, said the
Robert McCartney, leader of the UK Unionists
Rev Ian Paisley's party was the only party capable of delivering unionist unity.
"The unionist people have made it clear that they will not ever again vote for a party that will enter an enforced coalition with Sinn Féin/IRA under the terms of the Belfast Agreement," he said.
"The DUP has made a public political commitment that an enforced or mandatory coalition with Sinn Féin is out of the question.
"That is the DUP's manifesto pledge.
"Nor will they enter into a voluntary coalition unless Sinn Féin make a total and final break with the IRA, carry out to completion a public and transparent process of decommissioning, and bring to a complete and final end all forms of criminality."
Mr McCartney served as North Down MP between 1995 and 2001 but lost his seat at the last General Election to the Ulster Unionists' Lady Sylvia Hermon.
His decision not to contest the seat has given Democratic Unionist Assembly member Peter Weir a clear run at the anti-Belfast Agreement vote.