Northern Ireland

Survey indicates majority support for the union

A majority of respondents to the Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey would vote to remain in the UK. Picture by Rui Vieira/PA Wire
A majority of respondents to the Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey would vote to remain in the UK. Picture by Rui Vieira/PA Wire A majority of respondents to the Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey would vote to remain in the UK. Picture by Rui Vieira/PA Wire

A majority of people in Northern Ireland would still vote to remain in the UK, according to a survey.

The latest Northern Ireland Life and Times research found that 55 per cent of respondents would opt to retain the union, compared to only 22 per cent who would back a united Ireland.

In terms of identity, almost a quarter described themselves as Irish and not British, while the same proportion said they were British not Irish.

Those who see themselves as equally Irish and British made up 15 per cent of respondents, compared to 18 per cent who regard themselves as more British than Irish and 10 per cent who see themselves as more Irish than British.

Nine per cent of those surveyed in the identity section opted for 'other description'.

Asked whether leaving the EU made respondents feel more in favour of a united Ireland, almost two-thirds said Brexit made no difference while 17 per cent said it made them more inclined to support Irish unity. Nine per cent were less in favour.

In total, 1,203 adults aged 18 years or over were interviewed face to face between September 2017 and February 2018.

It comes after a survey conducted for the BBC by Lucid Talk found last week that just 45 per cent of those asked would vote for Northern Ireland to stay in the UK, while 42 per cent would back a united Ireland.