12/02/2010

SF Taking Poll Position

A survey published in today's Belfast Telegraph has suggested that Sinn Féin could become the largest political party in Northern Ireland.

The poll of 1,080 adults was carried out by Inform Communications over a five day period following last week's deal between the DUP and Sinn Féin at Hillsborough Castle.

Respondents were asked who they would vote for if an Assembly election was held tomorrow.

Of those intending to vote, 21% said they would most likely support Sinn Féin. The DUP was the second most popular party with 18%, leading the Ulster Unionist Party by 3%. The SDLP had 13%, followed by the Alliance party at 7%.

The hardline Traditional Unionist Voice party registered 6% support, with both the PUP and the Green Party on 3%.

The Belfast Telegraph poll also indicated strong support within the unionist community for a pact between the DUP and the UUP.

It said that 63% of Protestant respondents said that the Ulster Unionists were wrong to dismiss an electoral link-up with the Democratic Unionist Party.

Some 35% of those surveyed said recent political events had made them more likely not to vote. A further 27% said they were now more likely to support a different party, while 14% gave no indication of their voting intentions.

The poll has triggered speculation of a future political crisis in Northern Ireland, if Martin McGuinness becomes First Minister, sparking mass resignations among unionsits.

(BMcC/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 April 2024
'Decision Week' For Executive To Agree 2024/25 Budget – UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party has said it is "decision week" for the Executive to agree a new 2024/25 Budget. Party leader and Upper Bann MLA, Doug Beattie, reiterated his warnings of the damage being inflicted to key services the longer the void in this year's Budget continues.
02 August 2013
PSNI Arrest DUP Councillor Over Facebook Post
A DUP Councillor in Northern Ireland has been arrested in connection with "grossly offensive communications, intimidation and encouraging criminal acts", the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said.
29 March 2011
Republic Supports Derry Cancer Unit
The outgoing Stormont First Minister, Peter Robinson, has announced his commitment to a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital - which has also won backing in Dublin. His statement follows the former Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's announcement last week that the unit would not be built because funding was insufficient.
11 November 2010
Elderly Care Slammed By Ombudsman
The care of older people has been in focus across the UK and Ireland this week - with dramatically different outcomes in the two states.
23 March 2016
Labour Party 'Will Not Be Involved In The New Govt'
The Labour Party will not be involved in the formation of Ireland's next government, the party has announced in a statement. The statement reveals that members of the Parliamentary Labour Party agreed that the Party would not be involved in the formation of the next government, and that the Party would not be a member of the next government.