Despite the SDLP's public rejection of his plan for voluntary coalition, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said yesterday people should "wait and see" what happened when the Northern Ireland Assembly resumed its deliberations at some time in the future.
Mr Trimble arrived at the Stormont Hotel in east Belfast for his party's manifesto launch on a red double-decker London bus. The destination, "Westminster", was displayed on the front. He was accompanied by the UUP's parliamentary candidates who stood beside him at the subsequent press conference, although the leader did the talking.
He drew attention to a table at the back of the manifesto which showed that his party's MPs had a better record of speaking at the House of Commons than any of their rivals. "We go to Westminster, not just to represent Northern Ireland but to take part in the affairs of parliament," he said.
"Those people who go there on a part-time basis simply to pick and choose the issues they deal with are doing a great disservice to unionism and to the future of the United Kingdom."
On what he called, "the broad political front", he said there were no surprises. "We would like to see the Northern Ireland Assembly in position again."
But the UUP wanted legislation amended to release the Assembly from "the straitjacket imposed by the d'Hondt formula", which guarantees ministerial posts to a range of parties, depending on their strength.
The election of First and Deputy First Ministers should continue, "but on a simple, cross-community basis".
He added: "We would want to encourage the SDLP to form a coalition with us." There should be a move away from "inclusivity". Mr Trimble said this was because republicans had demonstrated they were not yet fit for office.
"We gave them the chance but they failed it." The UUP wanted to remind voters how far Northern Ireland had moved.
Ten years ago there was "significant political violence" as well as economic uncertainties. The "quality of life" had improved enormously and this was "largely our achievement". But the current stalemate was dangerous.
Forecasting that his party would return with more than its current total of five Westminster seats, he said some commentators were "going to get a little surprise". When it was put to him during questions that the idea of voluntary coalition was "stone dead" following its rejection by the SDLP, Mr Trimble said he was "not in denial" on the issue. "Let us see where we go," he said.
The main points of the manifesto are: