SUPPORT for Brexit in Northern Ireland has plummeted since the referendum two years ago, a new survey has found.
The North voted 56 percent to Remain and 44 percent to Leave back in June 2016, but Queen's University Belfast (QUB) has found that support for Brexit in the region now sits lower than a third at just 31 percent.
Meanwhile, support for Remain has risen by 13 points to an overwhelming 69 percent.
The poll found that although there was already high support for remaining in the EU in the North, the uncertainty over the Irish border and the future relationship with the Republic has unsettled previously staunch Leave voters.
'Costs and inconveniences'
Brendan O'Leary, Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, who also holds a visiting position at QUB, said: "Our results show that if there was another referendum, people in Northern Ireland would vote more strongly to remain in the EU.
"The 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."
Researchers also found that Catholics were much more likely to support a united Ireland if there was a so-called 'Hard Brexit', in which the UK left the customs union and single market.
John Garry, Professor of Political Behaviour at QUB, added: "We find Catholics and Protestants most prefer the option that would avoid the need for any new barriers on borders.
"Either in the Irish Sea or across Ireland. They want the UK as a whole to stay in the customs union and single market.
"However, what may surprise people is the extent to which Catholics oppose all borders within these islands."
Other findings from the survey included:
- 28% of Catholics would vote for a united Ireland if the UK changed its mind and remained in the EU.
- 53% of Catholics would vote for a united Ireland if there was a Hard Brexit in which the UK left the customs union and single market.
- 20% of Catholics found the possible use of cameras at the Irish border "almost impossible to accept".
- 9% of Catholics would support cameras on the Irish border being vandalised.
- There was a widespread belief that protests against checks at the Irish border would quickly become violent.
- There was substantial support for a Brexit that would see the UK stay in the customs union and single market.
- 61% of the population favoured the UK as a whole remaining in the customs union and single market.
