A piece from the Belfast Telegraph suggests the support for a united Ireland among those living under a British administration might not be as strong as many advocates of a border poll feel. 

By Suzanne Breen

A total of 29% would support Irish unity but 52% would back remaining in the UK if a referendum was held imminently.

Less than a third of people here would vote for a united Ireland if a border poll was held tomorrow, according to a major study of 2,000 voters.

A total of 29% would support Irish unity but 52% would back remaining in the UK if a referendum was held imminently.

The key to nationalist success in a border poll is winning over those who define themselves as 'other' and vote for Alliance, the Greens and smaller parties.

But nearly three-quarters (73%) of those who define themselves as other - neither nationalist or unionist - would support remaining in the UK with just 27% opting for Irish unity.

Continue reading @ the Belfast Telegraph.

Just 29% In Northern Ireland Would Vote For Unity, Major Study Reveals


A piece from the Belfast Telegraph suggests the support for a united Ireland among those living under a British administration might not be as strong as many advocates of a border poll feel. 

By Suzanne Breen

A total of 29% would support Irish unity but 52% would back remaining in the UK if a referendum was held imminently.

Less than a third of people here would vote for a united Ireland if a border poll was held tomorrow, according to a major study of 2,000 voters.

A total of 29% would support Irish unity but 52% would back remaining in the UK if a referendum was held imminently.

The key to nationalist success in a border poll is winning over those who define themselves as 'other' and vote for Alliance, the Greens and smaller parties.

But nearly three-quarters (73%) of those who define themselves as other - neither nationalist or unionist - would support remaining in the UK with just 27% opting for Irish unity.

Continue reading @ the Belfast Telegraph.

10 comments:

  1. Over a year ago I was hit by a car while out cycling. After several hospital stays to fix a serious head injury, multiple broken bones and other injuries my health deteriorated to the point where I couldn't work, and so depressed I didn't want to get out of bed. The two things I could rely on were my dear wife and the NHS. Those hospital stays, countless CT scans and MRI scans, as well as the help of two surgeons and consultants, doctors and nurses was all free and top, top quality. The one thing that the recent election in the south has shown is that the southern health service is not free and not good. Also generally the country is poorly run. I am not surprised that for all the bluster of republicans constantly stating that a UI is imminent so few in this poll want unity. If the UK survives brexit the north would be much better served staying put, if for no better reason than retaining our wonderful, wonderful NHS.

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    1. Shit, hope you are on the mend soon Peter, good to have you back.

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    2. Sorry to hear of your difficulties Peter. Glad to see you posting here.

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    3. You've been through the wringer Peter ... glad to see you back.
      (I had missed your input on several occasions and had wondered as to the reason for your absence).

      Best to yourself & the Mrs,
      HJ.

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  2. Peter - where have you been? Thought we had lost you

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  3. Peter - horrendous for you and family. Like Steve R I too very much hope you are on the road to full recovery. These things focus the mind and impose our priorities out of necessity over what we might otherwise leisurely choose.

    The very best

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  4. Peter

    Good health trumps everything else in life. I am really glad to hear you are coming out the other end after yout horrendous experience.

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  5. The fact is that Ireland has a crap (I would say corrupt) government and the British health system is better. If you live in the North then, these are serious concerns about this, particularly for the least well off, of course among whom Catholics are over-represented. For many then, while they would like to see a united Ireland, in practical terms they would not want that at the expense of lowering their quality of life. When you are living at or below the poverty line, economic conditions become over-riding. This has been true for a long time. It was expressed to me by many residents of Divis Flats, where I did research in the 1980s. In fact, it was the only reason anyone gave for not wanting a united Ireland - that they would be economically worse off when they were already living below the UK poverty line.* When you are poor, this is a major impediment. Who wants to be poorer? So what Sinn Fein needs to do (I'm sure they don't need me to tell them this) is deal with this concern. They need to reassure people that they will not be penalised in a united Ireland, that is worse off than they were under the union. This BT poll may be (is probably?) wrong, but maybe not too far wrong. You might say that for the poor, economic pragmatism is usually more important than political idealism.

    *At that time in 1982, of those I interviewed 70% said they wanted a United Ireland, 11% supported the Union, 11% said they didn't care, and 8% had 'mixed feelings.' The only reason anyone ever gave for wanting to maintain the Union was that they were already living hand to mouth, and could not survive on the lower benefits they would have to rely on in a United Ireland.

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  6. Oh, Anthony! Road to recovery? Poor phrase in context . Sorry to hear this Peter, I too wondered where you went, glad to see you back.

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