Northern Secretary John Reid has issued an appeal to the people of the North to vote for parties who support the Good Friday Agreement in the upcoming British general election.
Dr Reid said that peace had brought huge benefits to the North with its economy now the fastest growing within the UK.
However, he warned that if there was not continuous maintenance of the Agreement, conflict could return.
"This is not irreversible. It is not inevitable. We continually have to make compromise and dialogue," he said.
"Please tell that to all the politicians, including myself."
The plea has been condemned by the anti-Agreement DUP as "a sign of desperation".