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Northern Ireland would vote more strongly to remain in the EU if there was another Brexit poll, a study suggested.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland would vote more strongly to remain in the EU if there was another Brexit poll, a study suggested.<\/p>\n
A total of 69% would favor Remain if there was another referendum compared to 56% at the two years ago, the UK in a Changing Europe project said.<\/p>\n
Catholics were much more likely to support a united Ireland if there was a \u201chard exit\u201d in which the UK left the customs union and single market.<\/p>\n
The Irish border is one of the most vexed questions facing negotiators who aim to strike a deal by the autumn ahead of the UK\u2019s withdrawal from the EU next year.<\/p>\n
Brendan O\u2019Leary, Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, who also holds a visiting position at Queen\u2019s University Belfast (QUB), said: \u201cOur results show that if there was another referendum, people in the North would vote more strongly to remain in the EU.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proportion wanting to Remain has risen since the 2016 referendum as more people have become aware of the possible costs and inconveniences of leaving the EU, as citizens and as employees or employers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The survey was carried out for the Economic and Social Research Council which is funding the UK in a Changing Europe project.<\/p>\n
It said it provided an authoritative, non-partisan and impartial reference point for those looking for information, insights and analysis about UK-EU relations that stands aside from politics surrounding the debate.<\/p>\n
Findings from the survey included:<\/p>\n
What may surprise people is the extent to which Catholics oppose all borders within these islands.<\/p>\n
Principal investigator John Garry, Professor of Political Behaviour at QUB, said: \u201cWe find Catholics and Protestants most prefer the option that would avoid the need for any new barriers on borders.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither in the Irish Sea or across Ireland. They want the UK as a whole to stay in the customs union and single market.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cHowever, what may surprise people is the extent to which Catholics oppose all borders within these islands.”<\/p>\n