There is a large groundswell of support for the Belfast Agreement in working-class loyalist areas, the Ulster Democratic Party leader, Mr Gary McMichael, said yesterday.
"There is a recognition that the agreement represents the best and only way forward for the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
The UDP has been holding public meetings in loyalist areas every night during the past two weeks. Mr McMichael said there was a desire in these communities "to see positive change in this society, to see democratic institutions in place which will give the grassroots in our society a full role".
The UDP leader welcomed the fact that a number of unionist-controlled local councils had backed the agreement. These include Lisburn council, of which he is a member. Only Castlereagh in east Belfast has, so far, rejected the deal.