Voters in NI uneasy about handling of Brexit - poll

The poll found that 77% of those questioned were dissatisfied with UK government's performance on Brexit

A new opinion poll suggests that voters in Northern Ireland are deeply dissatisfied with the British government's handling of Brexit.

The IPSOS/MRBI survey for the Irish Times also found that a clear majority of those questioned want to stay in the single market and customs union in order to avoid a hard border.

With the Brexit deadline fast approaching, the poll suggests there is a great deal of unease among voters in Northern Ireland, something which could put the DUP under big pressure, given it keeps the British government in power.

The poll found that 77% of those questioned were dissatisfied with UK government's performance on Brexit.

And 67% of those questioned expressed dissatisfaction with the way in which the DUP was representing Northern Ireland at Westminster

The results show a clear desire for a soft Brexit, among those who expressed an opinion.

More than two thirds of those questioned (67%) said they wanted the UK to stay in single market and customs union to ensure no hard border on the island of Ireland.

Around 59% said they would like Northern Ireland to have a special arrangement with the EU, even if this meant some checks between Northern Ireland and Britain.

The voters who were polled were also asked about holding a referendum on Irish unification, but only 37% thought it was a good idea.

If held, only 32% of those questioned said they would vote yes, while 45% would vote no.

Just over 530 people (536) were questioned for the Irish Times poll and while representative, it is a smaller number than usual, and accounts for a higher margin of error rate than usual of 4.3%.