A fairly restrained assembly election campaign exploded into life yesterday (Tuesday) with a full-scale public confrontation between the leadership of the two main unionist parties.
By placing a mobile billboard and staging an impromptu press conference right outside Ulster Unionist HQ in east Belfast, the DUP effectively set out to taunt David Trimble in his own backyard.
Curiously, Ian Paisley seemed lost for words when Mr Trimble rose to the bait and emerged from his office to renew his demand for a full debate with his old enemy.
It was left to Peter Robinson and William McCrea to heckle the Ulster Unionist leader, who responded in kind during up to 10 minutes of exchanges, but Mr Paisley's silence left the initiative firmly with Mr Trimble.
Although it could be argued that there was little dignity on either side during the encounter, it served to divert attention away from what amounted to an alternative manifesto launched by anti-agreement members of the Ulster Unionist Party.
It was highly ironic that the document released by Jeffrey Donaldson and his associates urged greater cooperation among unionists, something which was noticeably in short supply on the Holywood Road yesterday.
As insults were hurled between the two parties, DUP figures repeatedly shouted "Where's Jeffrey?"
This was a reasonable question, as – if Mr Donaldson had been present – he would have had to decide on which side his allegiance really lay.
He will surely not be able to indefinitely retain membership of the Ulster Unionist Party while doing the work of the DUP.
The day's events illustrated the need for supporters of the agreement in general, and nationalists in particular, to ensure that their votes are used wisely next week.
This means transferring right down the list of pro-agreement candidates and across traditional boundaries.
Those who simply plump for their first choice party, and fail to use their other preferences in a constructive way, are playing into the hands of Mr Paisley and Mr Donaldson.
