Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ULSTER’S BREXIT IDENTITY CRISIS
Nationalists expect Irish unity after withdrawal
BREXIT appears to have hardened attitudes to ideas of identity, a study found yesterday.
The report by Queen’s and Ulster University found nationalists are strikingly more expectant and more in favour of Irish unity as a consequence of Britain’s EU withdrawal.
Unionists see it as making no difference to their views on partition.
The report saw a rise in those who see themselves as unionist or nationalist.
However, the research study released by ARK has also found the numbers of people calling themselves “Neither” remains higher than those identifying in the two main blocs.
The report used data from last year’s NI Life and Times Survey.
Co-authored by Dr Katy Hayward and Ben Rosher, some of the key findings in Political Attitudes At A Time Of Flux include:
Most respondents ( from all communities) support the devolved institutions
There is strong support for the Good Friday Agreement although most would like to see some reform
39% of NILT respondents identify as “Neither” unionist nor nationalist, the lowest figure for 15 years, and
It remains the most preferred of the three categories of political identity.
Researchers found there “has been an increase in the proportion of respondents identifying as unionist compared to 2018, when there had been an unusual shift in Protestants identifying as ‘Neither’”.
They added: “Last year saw a greater proportion of Catholic respondents identifying as nationalist (59%) than 2003. Those describing themselves as “very strongly” nationalist in 2019 is higher than it has been since 1998.
“Nationalists are strikingly more expectant and more in favour of Irish unity as a consequence of Brexit. In contrast, the majority of Unionists see Brexit as making no difference to their views regarding the prospect of Irish unification.”
Dr Hayward said:
“Last year was a fascinating year for politics in Northern Ireland. Extraordinary scenes from Westminster as the Brexit deadline was stretched further and further contrasted with the empty chamber in Stormont.
“Three elections saw success for Alliance and Greens. But analysing what this means in terms of wider attitudes requires further evidence.”
Dr Paula Devine, co-director of ARK at Queen’s, added: “We can see support for the Good Friday Agreement and the devolved institutions has been maintained among people of all backgrounds.”