Poll reveals divisions on NI rule
Almost as many Protestants in Northern Ireland would prefer to live under direct rule as under devolution, according to a poll published today.
The poll revealed that 47% of Protestants would rather be governed from London.
Only 2% more opted for devolved government as the best way of running Northern Ireland.
Among Catholics the responses were radically different – 84% want devolution back against just 13% who would opt for direct rule.
Overall the research found that 66% of those questioned wanted a devolved government.
The latest research on public attitudes in the province was undertaken by Queen’s University Belfast and based on a survey carried out by Market Research Northern Ireland.
It found that there was a narrow majority in favour of Assembly elections, due to be held in May, going ahead rather than being held only after agreement between the parties is reached and powers restored to the Stormont Assembly - 86% against 77%.
There was unambiguous agreement on who should run the devolved administration - with 43% of people questioned wanting a continuation of the Ulster Unionist/ SDLP combination of First and Deputy First Minister that existed prior to suspension.
There has been much talk of the Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists closing on the UUP in the run up to an election and of Sinn Fein doing the same with the SDLP.
However the poll, published in today’s Belfast Telegraph, showed clearly that the prospect of a DUP/SF ticket for First and Deputy First Ministers was the worst option in the public view.
Only 2% favoured the prospect of the two extremes of Northern Ireland politics holding the posts and even supporters of the two parties were cold on the idea with backing for it from only 4% of DUP voters and 6% of Sinn Fein’s.
Implementing the five-year-old Good Friday Agreement in full has been called the only way forward by the government but the poll showed broad overall support for making appropriate changes to the Agreement to ensure political stability.
Just over half of those quizzed – 53% – thought changes were either essential or desirable. A further 21% said changes would be acceptable and 10% said they would be tolerable.
Only 10% branded such a move as intolerable.
More than a quarter of Sinn Fein supporters are opposed to the IRA disbanding or standing down, and 30% of them said it was “unacceptable” for the party to take its seats on the Policing Board.
