A poll funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and published by the Irish News in
Belfast again confirms that a minority in the North of Ireland support continued partition. This is
another way marker in the decline in support for the division of Ireland.
All has changed and is changing. Unionism, those who support partition from the rest of Ireland are a
minority position in the Parliament and Government that meets in Belfast. When Ireland was divided
the six counties that made up the Northern State were gerrymandered to retain a perpetual Unionist
majority. That is now gone.
The poll found 48.6% in favor of continued union with Britain, 33.7% in favor of Irish Unity, 14%
don’t know and the rest refused to say. As one commentor said on twitter, if 14% are not sure if they
want to stay in the marriage with Britain then that says a lot.
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has said a poll in today’s Irish News speaks to the growing desire for a
new and better future where decisions are taken at home on the island of Ireland.
“With a General Election just around the corner, the incoming Irish government must make planning
and preparation for constitutional change a priority.
“Under a Sinn Féin-led government, we would publish a green paper on Irish unity, establish an
inclusive and welcoming Citizens’ Assembly and create a Minister for Reunification at the
Department of An Taoiseach.
“It is now incumbent on both governments to begin preparations and to work together to enable
communities across our island to realise the potential of a new and better future.”
It is now time for an Irish Government to plan and prepare for unity referendums as provided for by
the Good Friday Agreement. It is time to do the democratic thing and ask the people.
