Overall we see strong divisions of opinion over the #Protocol.
Most think #Brexit is not a good thing for UK.
Most (2/3) respondents think NI needs particular arrangements through Brexit.
But then they're fairly split over whether the Protocol is appropriate or good.
3/7
NI Respondents have concerns about current impact of #Protocol across the spectrum. Mostly in relation to political stability in NI & relationship to GB.
There are strongly held views about these issues (few are neutral).
This fig. shows positive views minus negative ones. 4/7
Problem= NI voters distrust of key players when it comes to handling NI interests vis-a-vis the Protocol.
This is staggeringly bad re: UKGov, Westminster & Whitehall (5-8% trust), but also low for Irish Govt, UK-EU & NI institutions.
Notable exception is NI business reps!👏 5/7
In view of 2024 consent vote on #Protocol Arts.5-10 for MLAs, we asked about voting intentions.
Most will consider a candidate’s view on the Protocol when it comes to voting in Assembly election next year🗳️
A slight majority will only vote for someone in favour of keeping it 6/7
Last note, our results differ slightly from @BBCSpotlightNI poll (56% in favour of retaining Protocol in the consent vote, 47% wanting it scrapped overall). Cd relate to diffs in timing & Qs in poll.
A 4-tweet thread for every person living in N.Ireland who might well wonder what #Brexit means in practical terms.
Travelling, studying, working, driving, shopping, roaming in the EU after 1st Jan... & what will change on the island of Ireland too.
1/4
Those born in N.Ireland have a birthright to Irish citizenship, & Irish citizens retain EU citizenship rights.
Because Brexit means #Brexit, British citizens no longer have those rights, & there will be a change in visiting, staying and working in the EU after 1st January.
2/4
But regardless of citizenship, there are big changes ahead in practical matters.
Those in NI are affected by the terms of the UK-EU Trade & Cooperation Agreement...
But there are also some differences for those in NI.
💳🧑🎓🐕🐈⬛
A very brief thread on how the #deal looks from N. Ireland.
In NI we're looking both east/west & north/south, as well as across to the wider EU.
[It is brief because I'm just going on the ltd EU info that we have👇
And because it's Xmas Eve, obvs 🎅] 1/6 ec.europa.eu/info/sites/inf…
You know this already, but:
The #Protocol means NI-EU mvnt of goods remains as it is at the moment in terms of paperwork.
But it also means GB-NI mvnt of goods is like a mini version of what happens GB-EU.
ie. ⬆️ GB-EU friction/divergence, the ‘harder’ the Irish Sea Border
2/6
The #Deal means fewer goods considered ‘at risk’, which is a huge relief re: tariffs GB-NI.
🛃
But the ‘friction’ arising from SM rules, esp agri-food, is not much relieved by this deal.
One chapter of the interim #Report on Irish unification referendums @ConUnit_UCL contains analysis of public #opinion polls & surveys in NI, GB & Ireland on the subject. 📊📈📉
Do see the report for the details & sources, but here's a snapshot... bit.ly/3nWfRiC
1/8
There's been a narrowing of the gap in recent yrs btn pro-Union & pro-Unity responses, & an increasing proportion think a united Ireland will happen at some point.
But if a #referendum were held tomorrow in NI, the combined evidence wouldn’t point to a clear majority Yes vote 2/8
Online polling shows higher support for unification than interview-based surveying, even when don’t knows are excluded. 📊
It is important to bear these methodological differences in mind in assessing this evidence. But both types have their place.