THE UDP leader, Mr Gary McMichael, will tonight become the first loyalist politician to take part in a television debate with a member of Sinn Fein.
Mr McMichael will discuss the current political situation with a Sinn Fein Belfast councillor, Mr Pat McGeown, on Ulster Television's Counterpoint programme at 10.40 p.m.
The Ulster Democratic Party has decided to abandon its policy of not sharing platforms with Sinn Fein. "We consulted our members and supporters and the feeling was that it was a mistake not to confront republican propaganda," Mr McMichael said yesterday.
"Our absence meant that the loyalist cause was going by default. It wasn't a case of people hearing both sides and then making up their own minds. Sinn Fein was being allowed to make all its points unchallenged - it had a free run."
Mr McMichael said he hoped the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party would also change their positions. "We have to have confidence in our arguments and our ability to deliver them," he said.
The DUP has never shared a platform with Sinn Fein. Several UUP members, including the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Mr Ken Maginnis, have taken part in television and radio programmes with the members of the party.
Members of the Progressive Unionist Party, the political wing of the Ulster Volunteer Force, have taken part in public debates with Sinn Fein members but not media discussions.
Sinn Fein press officer Mr Richard McAuley welcomed the UDP's policy change. "We have always taken the view that the decision of the unionist and loyalist parties not to share platforms with republicans was one which did not help dialogue or the peace process. We welcome this decision and hope the Ulster Unionists and DUP will soon realise that this the peace process forward."