The Democratic Unionist Party is poised to become the dominant force in unionist politics, its deputy leader claimed today.
Mr Peter Robinson was addressing the party's 30th anniversary conference in Newcastle, Co Down.
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He vowed that the party would fight all 18 constituencies in the next general election, predicting it would pick up another three Westminster seats including that of Mr David Trimble.
Launching a bitter attack on Mr Trimble, Mr Robinson contrasted the unity of the DUP with the deeply divided UUP.
"Our officer team is united in common purpose while the UUP is tearing one another apart. How can the general public have any confidence in a party that has no confidence in itself?" he asked.
Mocking Mr Trimble's conference speech, which compared the UUP with a football team, Mr Robinson said it was the actions of the Glasgow Celtic-supporting Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid that had led to his re-election as First Minister.
He also accused Mr Trimble of surrendering to republicans in agreeing to the dismantling of the RUC, the release of terrorist prisoners and seats in government for Sinn Féin.
And he urged anti-Agreement Ulster Unionists to join the DUP if they failed to unseat Mr Trimble at the party's ruling council meeting next Saturday.
"I urge you to flee - like Lot - and not to look back. Join us in the fight for the union and unionism."
PA