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Only seven percent of Northern Irish voters want a United Ireland this year

Minority of Catholics would vote for a United Ireland now or in even in 20 years

ANTOINETTE KELLY,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 7:59 AM

Updated Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 7:59 AM

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A new poll shows that voters in Northern Ireland would not vote for a united Ireland this year.

The poll asked Northern Irish voters “If a Border referendum was held within the next year how would you vote?" They were given the options "Yes", "Yes, in 20 years", "No, keep Northern Ireland" and "No opinion".”

Just seven percent said they would agree with a united Ireland this year. Only 32 percent would agree to a united Ireland in 20 years time.

Significantly a minority of Catholics would favor a united now or in 20 years time, just 48 percent.

If these “don’t knows” are ignored the poll shows that 63 percent of the population wants Northern Ireland to remain as a separate entity after 2032, according to Belfast Telegraph reports.

Overall support for a united Ireland is below 14 percent, including all social classes, and men and women.

The findings turn many commentators and politicians arguments on their heads. Many have said in the past by if the Catholics had the majority in the North, Irish unity would become a reality. However these results show this is not necessarily so.

The survey was commissioned by the 'Belfast Telegraph' and carried out by polling company LucidTalk.

Nster.com

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68 Comments

15 - 68 | See all comments

ancavker | Aug 10, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT

bythebore: Never been to northern Ireland?? What a laugh!! Born on the border, have a House on the border, and own a bit of land on the other side of the border.

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ysek888 | Jun 20, 2012, 01:54 AM EDT

Bythebay why don't you buzz off as you have nothing useful, or intelligent to say. At least Georgedillon and Greensod are having a constructive discussion.

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Bythebay | Jun 17, 2012, 03:25 PM EDT

Pittsburghkid, there is no South. It's called Ireland. Catholics and Protestants in Ireland as well as other religions don't want to join with Northern Ireland UK. Catholics in the US don't want to join with Mexico because they're Catholic. Wake up.

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Bythebay | Jun 17, 2012, 03:22 PM EDT

ancaver, citizen69, you've never been to Northern Ireland or Ireland and don't have a clue. People in Northern Ireland can be unionists and be Irish, can be Protestant and be Irish, can be nationalists and be Protestant, can be nationalists and be English, etc. No one size fits all. They are not confused, you are.

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Pittsburghkid | Jun 17, 2012, 02:14 PM EDT

Even the Catholic Irish in the North don't want to join up with the nonsense in the South.

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Bythebay | Jun 16, 2012, 04:35 PM EDT

There is Northern Ireland UK and Ireland, two separate and distinct countries. There is no desire in either to unite now or in future. Those abroad who wish it so badly are sorely mistaken. If they were so interested in Ireland they would not have left, their ancestors would not have left. They made their choice and have no impact on the matter.

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Bythebay | Jun 16, 2012, 03:33 PM EDT

ancaver, girl another US phony version of Irish history. Northern Ireland UK was created because Michael Collins agreed to it and signed the Treaty. You've never even been to Ireland, and never learned accurate Irih history, just the delusional US version. Wrong, and wrong again, as usual.

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Kilsally | Jun 15, 2012, 07:04 PM EDT

Northern Irish self-government is here to stay. There is no will for a United Ireland particularly since the South couldnt afford it.

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citizen69 | Jun 15, 2012, 04:58 PM EDT

No confusion ancavker... Unionists call themselves British.

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ancavker | Jun 15, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT

The unionists get all confused about what they call themselves, but the reality is that the English call themselves English and the Scots Scots, they don't get all convoluted. The old British catch basin does not really work any more.

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ancavker | Jun 15, 2012, 03:25 PM EDT

bythebore: The 6 county state was established before Collins signed the treaty. Nothing sadder than those who live in Ireland and claim to know Irish history. Hit the books boy.

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Bythebay | Jun 15, 2012, 02:25 PM EDT

For those apparently confused, there are 9 counties in the Province of Ulster, 6 of those counties are Northern Ireland UK, the remaining 3 in Ireland. Northern Ireland UK is the result of Michael Collins signing the treaty agreeing to it in 1922. Thirty years of IRA Provo Terrorism didn't change it either.

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sirpeter | Jun 15, 2012, 01:24 PM EDT

Who would be stupid enough to believe a poll taken by the Belfast/Unionist Telegraph anyway.That rag is about as fair as an Afrikaner newspaper.I mean what a time to do a poll.If 32% said they would agree in 20 years time and this in Ireland's and Europe's present climate.I laugh when they say ONLY 32%.Even though I take this poll with a pinch of salt.It's obvious the Billy boys must be getting nervous.I could easily see a 20% swing or more in favour in 20 years.I give it 20 to 30 years maximum to a UI.

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ciaradexy | Jun 15, 2012, 12:51 PM EDT

Barneyjo, What are you waffling about? You said people from NI are English. If they're not from England, then they're not English. Don't be ridiculous! I have never met a person from NI who referred to themselves as English and I bet you haven't either so you're just making rubbish up. Citizen, Ulster consists of 9 counties. There are many people of both religions who consider themselves Irish/British/ Northern Irish. The religious aspect comes into it for a fraction of people. Sirp, you are well aware Im not a yank! Well aware!

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ancavker | Jun 15, 2012, 09:44 AM EDT

I do not think anyone here, myself included, thinks an independent Scotland, means a UI. But what it would mean is a real look at what remains of the UK. A UK consisting of England (Wales does not matter), and northern Ireland makes no sense, and the north offers absolutely nothing to the English, it is a massive drain. To think they will continue on with this arrangement with Scotland gone, is wishful thinking. Even if Scotland does not go in 2014, they will get devo max, and eventually independence. As far as the queen, only the Scots can reconcile a desire for independence, devo max, with their obsession with the queen and royalty. Their celebration of the jubilee is not indicative of whether they would support independence or not. And yes there is still a strong strain of anti-Catholic sectarianism in Scotland. Ironically it will be many of the descendants of the Irish who settled in Scotland who will vote no for it. As far as the British thing goes, well from what I see and hear from my many trips there, is "British is what is on my passport, but I am English, Scots.

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