nionist leaders want to indicate “greater co-operation” to maximise success in future elections, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has instructed.

Faced with the prospect of Sinn Fein changing into the biggest occasion in councils in addition to the Assembly, unionist leaders have additionally raised considerations about decrease numbers of individuals in unionist areas popping out to vote.

DUP MLA Edwin Poots stated the native authorities elections outcomes had been a “wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment” for unionism.

As counting continues, Sinn Fein is poised to repeat the electoral domination it first displayed in final 12 months’s Assembly election.

While the DUP will retain its place as the biggest unionist occasion, its share of first choice votes has slipped 7% behind that of its republican rivals.

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The Ulster Unionists have endured a troublesome election, whereas the TUV, led by Jim Allister, has elevated its vote share.

DUP chief Sir Jeffrey stated there have been “lessons to be learned for unionism in its broadest sense”.

He added: “We need to do better.

We have seen in various parts of Northern Ireland those transfers haven’t been as strong as they could be

“The DUP has had a good election but unionism needs to do better, we need to be winning more seats.

“I’m happy to sit down with my fellow unionists and examine these issues and how greater co-operation can lead a pathway towards more success for unionism in general.”

Sir Jeffrey stated there had been points round transfers in unionist votes.

“I think that when you dilute the unionist vote sometimes that means unionist candidates don’t get elected and others slip in ahead of them because the key to success is your first preference vote then transfers can help for those candidates who fall short of a quota,” he stated.

“We have seen in various parts of Northern Ireland those transfers haven’t been as strong as they could be.”

He put the rise within the Sinn Fein vote all the way down to the “collapse of the SDLP”.

Sir Jeffrey conceded a “differential in turnout in areas where Sinn Fein do better”, however stated the turnout in predominantly unionist areas is the place it was on the final council elections.

“But there is a differential consistently in unionist areas and nationalist areas,” he stated.

“We need to look to see why not enough of our people are turning out to vote.”

Ulster Unionist chief Doug Beattie stated it was a failing of unionism that not sufficient individuals are participating in elections.

He stated: “It is clear that many unionists and people who are pro-Union are simply not getting out to vote.

“We have a real issue getting people out of their doors to go and cast their vote in many areas.

“That is a failing on our behalf, maybe it is a failing on unionism’s behalf.

“But that won’t stop me promoting a positive and optimistic message.

“I think that is the only way we can improve our situation and it will take time.

“I want to reach out to absolutely everybody and say that we will represent them regardless of what their political aspirations are for Northern Ireland in the future.”

Mr Poots informed the BBC that the break up in unionist voting “is not sustainable”.

He stated that nationalism is “coalescing around Sinn Fein” whereas unionism is “being divided across three parties”.

He added: “I think that’s not a sustainable model for the way forward and it’s for unionists to actually look at that and realise that it is not the best way forward.”