7 December 2017
Poll shows majority in favour of special status
"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." - Martina Anderson MEP
A majority of people in the north are now in favour of the north securing special status within the EU, a major new opinion poll has found.
The Lucidtalk poll, commissioned by European Parliament group GUE/NGL, found that 57.8 per cent of respondents now favour special status for the north within the EU.
The poll also found that a majority would support a referendum on Irish unity in the event of a 'hard' Brexit and that if such a poll was to be held, that a majority would vote in favour of Irish unity to remain in the EU.
The poll was conducted over 80 hours last weekend and the findings are a representative sample of public opinion in the North.
Key findings include:
- 57.8 per cent support special status for the north within the EU
- 49.9 per cent support a referendum on Irish unity in the event of a hard Brexit
- A majority of 47.9 per cent support the north remaining in the EU by joining a united Ireland
- 52.4 per cent believe there will be a reduction in rights as a result of Brexit
- 75.8 per cent belive EU standards should be maintained post-Brexi
The results of the opinion poll were welcomed by Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson.
"The results shows that a majority of people, 57.8 per cent, believe that the north should be given special status within the EU, including remaining in the customs union and single market.
"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.
"The poll also shows that a majority, 47.9 per cent, believe that the north should remain in the EU by becoming part of a united Ireland in the event of a 'hard Brexit.'
"It also found that 52.4 per cent of people believe that there will be a decrease in rights as a result of Brexit.
"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."