Mr David Trimble has appealed to Ulster Unionists to turn out in force for tomorrow's Assembly election and warned of the "serious danger" of the unionist vote splintering.
Some commentators believed the SDLP would top the poll, he said. "If this happens, it will be the result of the divisions in unionism. The UUP is the only unionist party capable of topping the poll. To maximise unionist influence and power in government, people should concentrate their votes for the UUP on Thursday.
"There is a need for a large turnout to support the UUP in realising our vision. The extra 160,000 people who came out in the referendum last month to vote Yes must come out to complete this job." In an implicit reference to the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, Mr Trimble said: "Some individuals are more interested in fratricidal attacks on fellow unionists than defending the Union and advancing the unionist cause."
The UUP candidate in East Belfast, Mr Reg Empey, said it was "bizarre" for the DUP leader to "put on the mantle of saviour of unionism". Dr Paisley had called Queen Elizabeth "a parrot" and had vehemently criticised Mr Tony Blair, he said. "I ask the electorate how someone who uses such language is promoting or securing the Union. It's that sort of language that drives our fellow citizens in the UK away from us."
Mr Trimble refused to recommend that UUP voters transfer to the SDLP and said people should make up their minds on the basis of local circumstances.
He said the new Assembly could look at the issue of the Drumcree parade as early as next week when it has its first sitting. "The only sensible outcome is for the traditional parade to go ahead, and if people object to it then by all means organise a protest, but let it be peaceful and dignified."
The UUP leader accused Sinn Fein of fomenting trouble in the past and called on Mr Gerry Adams to help ease tensions by "calling his dogs off". Earlier, Mr Trimble said his party could not have a proper relationship with Sinn Fein until the decommissioning issue was addressed.