Majority in North survey want Border poll on Irish unity

A MAJORITY of people in the North want a poll on Irish reunification, a survey by LucidTalk for the Belfast Telegraph newspaper says today.

The poll, which surveyed 1,089 voting age people, showed support for a Border poll was particularly strong among younger voters. 

When undecideds are excluded, it found that 56.2% of those who responded want to see a Border poll in the near future while 43.8% oppose the idea.

When asked whether they wanted a united Ireland, the poll showed that 40.2% of people support a united Ireland and 59.8% oppose it. Of those who support a united Ireland, the majority do not see it as an immediate priority but would support it in the future.

A similar poll by the same company on the issue of Scottish independence, conducted two years before the referendum, showed 70% opposed to independence. However, this number reduced to 55% by election day.

Before Irish unity can take place it must receive support in concurrent referenda held on the same day in both the North and the South. 

Earlier this month, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness called for a Border poll, saying the Scottish independence referendum showed it is possible to discuss important constitutional issues in a spirit of respect for all sides.

"I believe we could do that without opening up divisions which would be detrimental to the institutions,” he said.