And will Mr Trimble's Ulster Unionists engage in negotiations, or merely try to obstruct them?
Conall McDevitt of the SDLP questioned the tactics of unionists in opposing the motion.
BBC: Retention and Release of Information and Police Officers
On that basis unionists would consider their continued participation in the executive, he said.
The first minister and other unionists said there was an image of "double standards".
He has also been standing up to disgruntled trade unionists in loss-making state-owned enterprises.
She said the "nats and the unionists" could work together, even on aspects of the constitution.
They distinguish themselves from the other unionists by their opposition to flag waving and unity candidates.
All this made Mrs Nelson a hate figure for many unionists, including some police.
No more than 2, 000 other marchers, and no other leading anti-Trimble unionists, joined Mr Paisley.
The two governments reiterated their backing for the framework document of 1995, which the unionists abhor.
Gerry Adams will now be telling unionists that during the summer, actions spoke louder than words.
Sinn Fein spent the spring trying to convince unionists that the IRA was now dormant.
Unionists held massive demonstrations, replete with violent rhetoric, both outside and inside the Capitol.
Many unionists feel the reforms outlined in the Police (NI) Bill go too far.
Plans have been delayed for years due to disagreements over housing allocation between nationalists and unionists.
Unionists would undertake to work within the devolved government, rather than repeatedly threatening to walk out.
Even so, Mr Blair will try to find a way to soothe the unionists.
If anything comes of that, diehard unionists will have plenty to say about it.
Of course, it will be a wonder if unionists ever trust the republicans fully.
Afterwards, unionists accused Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance of attacking their cultural identity.
BBC: Northern Ireland Assembly session over flag disturbances
The Ulster Unionists, the pro-agreement Protestant party led by David Trimble, is also in trouble.
The president has also flirted with independent candidates elsewhere, and courted left-wing trade unionists and parties.
Two American trade unionists one dead and one living provide examples of how this might be done.
Neither pro-agreement Ulster Unionists nor Sinn Fein have sounded entirely convincing converts to the new order.
Unionists denied this, insisting their defence of the Union flag was a matter of principle.
IRA's war seven years ago, unionists have struggled to see the benefit to them.
Even the ultra-hardline Democratic Unionists, led by the Reverend Ian Paisley, are quietly shifting.
The trade unionists are restive about plans for chopping jobs in coal mining and steel.
There are some who say that, as committed Unionists, we should never sup with the devil.
BBC: Page last updated at 05:19 GMT, Friday, 2 May 2008 06:19 UK
Trade unionists plan to use their leverage over Mr Gore to try to block the deal.
应用推荐