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Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Votes Yes to New Assembly and Relationship with Ireland

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The people of Northern Ireland have resoundingly voted yes to a new relationship between the communities within the province, with a near-unanimous backing in the Republic of Ireland. This historic vote has given the green light to a forceful election campaign for seats in the new assembly, which is expected to bring Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams into government and lead to the release of terrorist prisoners. The new assembly will feature a complex power-sharing arrangement, with ministers having to affirm their commitment to non-violence and exclusively peaceful means.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Northern Ireland referendum saw a resounding yes vote, with 81.10% of the electorate participating, and a total of 953,583 people voting.
  • The East Antrim constituency had the lowest turnout, with 79.38% of voters participating, while the Fermanagh South Tyrone constituency had the highest turnout, with 85.19% of voters participating.
  • Sinn Fein is expected to hold two ministerial posts in the new assembly, with all ministers having to affirm their commitment to non-violence and exclusively peaceful means.
  • The new assembly will feature a cross-community power-sharing arrangement, with decisions requiring a majority within both nationalist and unionist members.
  • The assembly will establish the North-South Ministerial Council and associated implementation bodies to manage cross-border co-operation.
  • Despite being soundly beaten in the referendum, the No campaigners still hope to get enough unionists elected to render the assembly unworkable.

Statistics:

  • Total electorate: 1,175,741
  • Total poll: 953,583
  • Percentage of voters: 81.10%
  • Turnout by constituency:

+ East Belfast: 80.91%

+ North Belfast: 78.14%

+ South Belfast: 79.91%

+ West Belfast: 75.98%

+ East Antrim: 79.38%

+ East Londonderry: 79.70%

+ Fermanagh South Tyrone: 85.19%

+ Foyle: 79.19%

+ Lagan Valley: 81.60%

+ Mid Ulster: 86.69%

+ North Antrim: 80.07%

+ North Down: 79.72%

+ Newry and Armagh: 82.22%

+ South Antrim: 79.96%

+ South Down: 83.74%

+ Strangford: 80.30%

+ Upper Bann: 83.45%

+ West Tyrone: 83.23%

Sources:

  • The Times
  • The Guardian
  • BBC News
  • Irish Times
  • The Belfast Telegraph

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