The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, has insisted his resignation ultimatum will stand if there is no movement on arms by the IRA. Introducing his party's election manifesto yesterday, he rejected criticism from within the party that the document did not go far enough on decommissioning.
In its manifesto, the UUP said it regretted the fact that others were playing down the threat to peace and democracy from paramilitaries.
The manifesto continued: "The Assembly is jeopardised by the failure of terrorist organisations to disarm, to indicate demonstrably to society that their campaigns are at an end. Inclusive government cannot be sustained indefinitely in such circumstances.
"The offer of partnership between equals based on respect for each others' identities and for the law that we made in 1997 stands. But the UUP will not be party to any attempt to bury the decommissioning issue or ignore it as other political parties do. To do so would threaten democracy and public safety."
Mr Trimble insisted all 17 of the party's Westminster candidates were fully behind the manifesto despite the absence of the anti-agreement candidates Mr Jeffrey Donald son, the Rev Martin Smyth, Mr William Thompson, Mr William Ross and Mr David McNarry.
The UUP leader explained that Mr Donaldson and Mr McNarry were delayed by having to hand in their nomination papers while Mr Ross was at a wedding and Mr Thompson and Mr Smyth had other engagements.
He said Northern Ireland was a "vastly different" place from six years ago and predicted a high turnout as well as gains for the UUP. The message candidates got on the doorstep was one of voters frustrated with parties who "make a lot of noise but sit on the fence", Mr Trimble added with reference to the DUP.
"Voters should ask themselves what way they see the future. What party do they see delivering on their future?" he asked, insisting they would then automatically come out to endorse the UUP.
In its manifesto, the party identifies eight priority areas. It wants to "enhance the role of Ulster Unionism at the heart of British political life" as well as "deliver strengthened local democratic accountability through a more effective Northern Ireland Assembly".
Constitutional stability would also be a major factor in underpinning economic prosperity as well as a better quality of social, cultural and environmental life, according to the manifesto.
The North's culture of "lawlessness", including paramilitary racketeering, "casual" violence and paramilitary activities, urgently needed to be tackled, as did shortcomings in the education system with regard to technical and vocational education and in the health service, particularly in the area of primary care, which had suffered on account of too many layers of administration.
A leaner, more efficient public administration would reduce costs to the taxpayer and enable greater input at local level, the manifesto said.
It also called for increased financial aid and support for tourism and other business affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak, a farmers' loan and early retirement scheme and a 10-year business plan for the agricultural industry.