To think most people in the UK don't really care about NI

[Tooldemont]

Just that really, we don't seem to be a together nation and many people I know would just prefer Ireland to become one country on that landmass.

Maybe it's just my circles, but rings true here

That's interesting bub I didn't know that. I still don't think you can be sure of the majority by asking the minority.

There'll be a strong group of Irish people who are fervently pro a united Ireland no matter what, but I'd imagine a bigger section of the population will be 'I quite like the idea of a united Ireland....but we can't afford it right now'. But when push comes to shove they'd probably vote for it. But it's not going to happen anytime in the immediate future and it won't be some farcical referendum like Brexit. But I'd say in a decade's time after a lot of consultation with all communities it may well become a reality. I wouldn't leave NI to fester in a post Brexit UK. Things are bad enough there as it is (economically) so Brexit will be a bloody disaster for the region.

Tbh my main concern for a united Ireland wouldn't be economic it would be a fear of the conservative loons in the North joining forces with the Irish conservative loons. I like very much that the conservative loons are becoming the minority in Irish society. I'd like to keep it like that.

I couldn't agree more bub
Who knew that our little island could come so far after everything that has happened especially since the Catholic Church had such a hold on us for so long. I just hope brexit isn't the undoing of all the good that has happened

Lucy I totally see your pov. The cervical check cover up, the recent treatment of nurses during the strike, the info regarding the banks and the government in cahoots. None of it sits well with me. But on this issue I have to say I think he has been brilliant.

I have heard talk of lots of EU support in the form of grants in the event of Irish unity but have no idea how true that would be!

Overprotective007... brilliant post. I’m born in London to Irish parents living in the North and cannot imagine RTE news coming on at 6pm with Southern accents on the telly although I would love to see a United Ireland but that’s because of my upbringing. However I would imagine most ROI citizens would dread inheriting us and our shit!

“That's interesting bub I didn't know that. I still don't think you can be sure of the majority by asking the minority.”

Pollsters use weighting techniques and other different things to get it as close to representative as possible.

They are normally pretty spot on. No way are they 14% out. A majority in ROI supports Irish unity.

Sorry I disagree, the majority of Irish people like the idea of a United Ireland but no way in he'll the reality of it. Too much has happened in the past, I also believe except for a small minority most in NI including nationalist were happy with the status quo, it's only since Brexit that a United Ireland has been taken as a serious idea. I can't see it happening any time soon and honestly there would have to be a lot of work to even contemplate it. People in Ireland would not be happy to change things such as our traditions, our anthem, our flag to accommodate the unionist. We are very proud of our past and the fact many Irish men and women fought for our independence. The idea that we would not be able to commemorate events in our history in fear of insulting some in Northern Ireland doesn't sit well with me and others. It's not that I don't feel anything for NI it's just that we have all grown up and accepted the fact that there is a division, which since the GFA most were happy with. Brexit has brought back a lot of animosity and bad feeling between the UK and Ireland that I thought was long gone. No way would I like to see a return to the troubles in any way. Brexit seems to have opened up old wounds.

The poll size is fine but the fact they are sky customers only is not. Unless they can prove that sky customers are representative of the population as a whole, they can only say that a majority of sky customers in ireland is in favour.

Well the Belfast Telegraph are running another poll now about the backstop. It has over 5,000 votes and 53% are against the backstop.

The sample size is very robust (but very few on mumsnet understand sampling, so I'm not surprised it's questioned).

However Sky data? Collected how? Just customers? I wouldn't have a lot of faith in that. If it was Ipsos or B&A doing the polling it would be a different story.

Also, the question is the type that respondents tend to embellish their position on.

A sky poll on a united Ireland? Sure bring it on. A legally binding referendum? The response will be a lot more cautious.

To put it much more succinctly, there's nothing wrong with that sample size, but that doesn't mean it's good data.

There have been other polls done showing the same thing, people in ROI are in favour of unification.

It would not happen overnight, it would be a phased transition over several years. That's the only way it could be managed successfully. We would also have significant EU support.

As for the economic argument, there have been various studies indicating that unification benefits the island in the medium to long term. It makes sense - a small island having two separate economic and political systems is far from ideal.

Link to one of the above mentioned studies:

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.irishexaminer.com/business/united-irish-economy-could-deliver-boost-of-36bn-388959.html

Pretty much all polling on the matter shows a majority in ROI for reunification and 15-20% don’t knows.

Opposed is in the region of 30%.

news.paddypower.com/politics/2018/10/14/united-ireland-brexit-poll-pp/

Before anyone complains about the source, the poll was conducted by Red C which is a reputable polling company.

I think the views of those posting on mumsnet aren’t likely to the representative of the views of all in ROI. I would be guessing that the more nationalist/republican people wouldn’t be posting on a British parenting website.

BT running a pill and .... 53% are against the backstop.

aka 53% support refusing to guarantee that we will act in accordance with the internationally ratified Good Friday Agreement which the UK signed up to.

Okaaaay.

I would be guessing that the more nationalist/republican people wouldn’t be posting on a British parenting website

I know you mean well, but being nationalist/republican does not make people hate all things British. However I would imagine that those in the republic only post if they’ve strong views on the subject, just like any of us. I dare say some of the more venomous posters will latch on any mention of NI.

That poll was posted on the BT Facebook page. Only an idiot would follow BT on Facebook.

I know it doesn’t - and there are obviously people who want a United ireland on here, me included. However those who aren’t massive fans of the British are more likely to support a United ireland and less likely to post here - so skewing your figures.

I think it would depend on what part of Ireland you live in. I think a lot would say they want a United Ireland but in the privacy of the polling booth would they actually vote for it.

Well there is over 250,000 people who follow BT so what does that day about them and their beliefs.

It would see improved economic development and salary levels while the Republic would benefit from improved economies of scale for investment. That really jumped out at me, Sakura7. I hadn’t actually considered that.

Voila212 I was half joking but it says an awful lot, unfortunately.

The BT comments section used to be so polarised. I think they must have done away with them in favour of facebook comments? Ugh. Depressing reading.