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Polls shows majority want to stay in EU single market after Brexit

Theresa May has ruled out special status for the north while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said a hard border on Ireland is unacceptable 
Theresa May has ruled out special status for the north while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said a hard border on Ireland is unacceptable  Theresa May has ruled out special status for the north while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said a hard border on Ireland is unacceptable 

AN OPINION poll of people in Northern Ireland shows that nearly 58 per cent are in favour of the north staying in the EU single market and customs union after Brexit.

Just under 48 per cent said they would be in favour of a united Ireland to avode the north being included in a hard Brexit.

The LucidTalk poll was commissioned by the European United Left and Nordic Green Left groups in the European parliament.

Other findings included 52.4 per cent believing Brexit will result in a reduction of rights and 75.8 per cent believing EU standards in relation to issues including food safety and language rights should be maintained.

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson said: "This vote, just like that of the majority who voted to remain in the EU in last year's referendum, is drawn from all sections of society across the North.

"This shows the deep level of concern about the Tory/DUP Brexit agenda and reinforces that the DUP do not represent the views of the people of the people of the north.

"While of course this is an opinion poll, it also chimes with what we have been hearing in our engagements with people from all sections of society from across the north.

"What this shows is that more and more people now realise that securing special status for the north within the EU is achievable and offers the best protection for the Good Friday Agreement and citizens rights."