A veteran UUP councillor who signed a DUP man's local government election papers has said it is "time for unionist unity".
Jim Dillon, who is retiring from Lisburn and Castlereagh council, said: "There will probably not be an Ulster Unionist Party much longer."
The former mayor - one of Northern Ireland's longest serving councillors - signed the nomination forms for the DUP's Allan Ewart, who is seeking re-election in the Downshire West area.
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Mr Ewart said opinion polls show the DUP is "the only party that can stop Sinn Féin" becoming the largest at council level.
He said on Facebook: "I am delighted that Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, an Ulster Unionist councillor for 46 years, has signed my nomination papers for Downshire West.
"On the doors the unionist people are crying out for unionists to unite. I am glad that Jim has taken this advice."
Posting a photo of himself with Mr Dillon, he added: "Thank you Jim for your friendship and support to me over your time on council."
Mr Dillon told Belfast Live he had "no problem" supporting Mr Ewart. The fellow Downshire West representative said he would "sign any unionist's papers" but "nobody else asked me to".
Asked about Mr Ewart's comments on unionist unity, Mr Dillon said: "I think the same. It's time for unionist unity.
"Unless there's unity there's going to be no unionists left. The Ulster Unionist Party is going down in every election."
He added: "There will probably not be an Ulster Unionist Party much longer. You have only got to use your common sense. We need leadership."
Asked about Doug Beattie's leadership of the UUP, Mr Dillon said: "I couldn't possibly comment."
He said that he has "always voted Ulster Unionist" but when asked who he would vote for this time, he said: "It depends on who the candidate is."
The UUP was approached for comment.
Last month, Mr Dillon used his retirement speech from Lisburn and Castlereagh council to call for Stormont to be scrapped and its powers given to local authorities.
The council election will take place on May 18. It was pushed back by two weeks to avoid the counting of votes clashing with the coronation of King Charles III.
Across Northern Ireland the DUP is standing 152 candidates, while the Ulster Unionists have 101.
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