Ulster Unionists gather in Newcastle, Co Down, today for their annual conference and to prepare for Westminster and local government elections in the spring.
Delegates anticipate strong attacks on the DUP, now the majority unionist party after last year's Assembly election, as the leadership moves to fight back.
The address by the party leader, Mr David Trimble, is expected to be wide-ranging but will focus on the DUP as election year approaches.
His criticism of the DUP has become increasingly vociferous as the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has set a deadline of November 26th for agreement among the Northern parties.
If there is no breakthrough it is anticipated that the British and Irish governments will bring forward their own proposals to break the impasse. Many in the party, including some at senior level, talk openly of not opting for Executive positions if Stormont is restored and of forming an unofficial opposition to Sinn Féin and DUP ministers alongside the SDLP.
The conference agenda includes a debate on water charges. These will be levied in addition to local government rates bills in an effort to address Northern Ireland's crumbling infrastructure. The party believes the DUP is vulnerable on this issue and claims it has two conflicting policy positions.
Other conference motions refer to the Review of Public Administration which seeks to streamline Northern Ireland's significant public sector.
The British government and the Assets Recovery Agency, the North's equivalent of the Criminal Assets Bureau, will be pressed to redouble their efforts to counter organised crime and paramilitary racketeering. The conference will be asked to support calls for a "war on crime".
Delegates will also hear from the leadership about plans for the party's centenary which falls next year.
One fringe meeting will centre on security and will include a speech by the direct rule security minister, Mr Ian Pearson. Sir Reg Empey, the former enterprise minister before the Executive was suspended, will chair a panel discussion on the North's economy.
The panel will include the former senator, Mr Edward Haughey, now Lord Ballyedmond. He was appointed to the House of Lords on the nomination of Mr Trimble .
The UUP director of elections, Mr Tim Lemon, will outline plans for next year's local government elections and the anticipated general election.
The DUP has publicised its target list which includes every unionist Westminster constituency in Northern Ireland with the sole exception of North Down.
The Rev Ian Paisley's party consolidated its advantage over the Ulster Unionists last June when it comfortably topped the poll in the European Parliament election.
Mr Jim Nicholson, the returning UUP MEP, took the final seat.