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Sinn Fein

Northern Ireland's Divided Communities Unite in Favor of Peace

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a resounding show of support, seven out of ten people in Northern Ireland declare that they want the Good Friday Agreement to go ahead, with a majorities in both Protestant and Catholic communities backing a power-sharing government. Only 30% of respondents disagreed with the reasons behind the breakdown of talks that prevented power being handed over to the new Assembly.

Key Takeaways:

  • 70% of Northern Ireland residents are in favor of a power-sharing government, with 54% of Protestants and 90% of Catholics supporting the idea.
  • 83% of respondents support the Way Forward peace agreement, with only 17% opposing it.
  • Voters across the religious divide are united in wanting a new referendum on what should happen next, with a 2-1 majority in favor of a new referendum.
  • 30% of Sinn Fein voters support stopping the release of terrorist prisoners, but 96% of Democratic Unionist supporters are against it.
  • 29% of Sinn Fein supporters believe a return to violence by the Provisional IRA and other terror groups is very or quite likely, compared to 62% of UUP supporters and 62% of SDLP voters.
  • 80% of Sinn Fein voters think there will be a lasting peace within 12 months, while 100% of Sinn Fein voters are convinced of a permanent peace in five years.
  • 99% of Sinn Fein supporters back Mo Mowlam to continue as Northern Ireland Secretary, while only 12% of Democratic Unionist supporters agree.
  • Almost a third of those interviewed say they will emigrate if there is no prospect of a long-term peace.

Statistics:

  • 70% of Northern Ireland residents support a power-sharing government
  • 83% of respondents support the Way Forward peace agreement
  • 29% of Sinn Fein voters believe a return to violence is very or quite likely
  • 96% of Democratic Unionist supporters want to keep terrorist prisoners locked up
  • 80% of Sinn Fein voters think there will be a lasting peace within 12 months
  • 100% of Sinn Fein voters are convinced of a permanent peace in five years
  • 99% of Sinn Fein supporters back Mo Mowlam to continue as Northern Ireland Secretary
  • 30% of those interviewed say they will emigrate if there is no prospect of a long-term peace
  • 516 adults were interviewed by telephone sample on June 16

Sources:

  • ICM poll of 516 adults across Northern Ireland on June 16.
  • British Prime Minister Tony Blair
  • Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
  • US President Bill Clinton
  • Senator George Mitchell
  • Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble
  • Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams
  • SDLP's Seamus Mallon
  • Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists

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