Most Northern Ireland residents who voted for Brexit believe it has failed, poll finds
Irish Times
Overall Assessment
The article reports poll findings with high accuracy and transparency. It contextualizes data with historical and methodological detail. The tone is neutral, relying on expert attribution and verifiable statistics.
Headline & Lead 90/100
Headline and lead present the poll findings accurately and neutrally, without sensationalism or distortion.
✓ Balanced Reporting: The headline accurately reflects the main finding of the poll and avoids exaggeration or emotional language. It clearly states who holds the belief (Northern Ireland residents who voted for Brexit), what the belief is (Brexit has failed), and that it is based on a poll.
"Most Northern Ireland residents who voted for Brexit believe it has failed, poll finds"
Language & Tone 98/100
The tone is consistently objective, with balanced presentation of perspectives and minimal emotional language.
✓ Balanced Reporting: The article avoids editorializing and presents findings through neutral reporting. Even when quoting strong opinions (e.g., 'Brexit is a failure'), it attributes them clearly to sources.
"She said the dominant theme in comments from those surveyed was 'Brexit is a failure'"
✓ Balanced Reporting: The article presents both Remainer and Leaver perspectives on why Brexit is seen as a failure without endorsing either, maintaining objectivity.
"Remainers say it’s a failure because it was an act of national self-harm and they didn’t want it anyway, and for leavers it’s a failure because Northern Ireland never got Brexit"
Balance 98/100
Strong sourcing with clear attribution to a reputable academic institution and polling firm, plus expert commentary.
✓ Proper Attribution: The article attributes the research to Queen’s University Belfast and specifies the polling firm (LucidTalk), providing clear, credible sourcing. It names the academic leads and describes the series, enhancing transparency.
"The research was carried out for Queen’s by Belfast-based polling company LucidTalk. It is the 15th report in the university’s Testing the Temperature series, led by professors David Phinnemore and Katy Hayward"
✓ Proper Attribution: The article includes direct quotes from two academic experts (Hayward and Phinnemore), offering interpretation without editorializing, and representing the research team’s analysis.
"Hayward said the importance of identity to one in two voters constituted an 'additional layer of division broadly on top of existing ones'."
Completeness 95/100
The article thoroughly contextualizes the poll results with historical, methodological, and trend data, enhancing reader understanding.
✓ Comprehensive Sourcing: The article provides historical context (2016 referendum result), methodological context (polling dates, sample size, weighting), and longitudinal context (comparisons to past polling). This helps readers interpret the data.
"In the Brexit referendum, held on June 23rd, 2016, Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU by 56 per cent to 44 per cent, but the UK as a whole voted narrowly to leave, by 52 per cent to 48 per cent."
✓ Comprehensive Sourcing: The article contextualizes declining support for the Windsor Framework by citing specific trends over time, including a drop from 61% to 46% in perceived benefit since summer 2024.
"Forty-six per cent now regarded it as 'on balance a good thing for Northern Ireland' — the lowest level since June 2021 — and 46 per cent view it as an appropriate means of addressing Brexit in Northern Ireland, down from 61 per cent in summer 2024."
Brexit is framed as having negative consequences
The article repeatedly emphasizes that a majority of voters, including leavers, view Brexit as a failure, using direct quotes and polling data to reinforce this perception.
"The majority of voters in Northern Ireland, including among those who voted to leave the EU, agree Brexit has been more of a failure than a success, according to new research from Queen’s University Belfast."
EU is framed as a cooperative partner worth re-engaging with
The article reports strong public support for closer EU ties and UK rejoining, suggesting the EU is seen as a constructive counterpart rather than a hostile force.
"57 per cent supported the UK rejoining."
Community relations in Northern Ireland are framed as under strain due to Brexit
The article cites expert analysis that Brexit identities remain 'very important' to over half of voters and constitute an 'additional layer of division', implying ongoing societal tension.
"Hayward said the importance of identity to one in two voters constituted an “additional layer of division broadly on top of existing ones”."
UK Government is framed as untrustworthy due to poor communication and declining trust
The article highlights declining public understanding and weakening support for the Windsor Framework, with an expert warning that failure to clearly explain new arrangements will further damage trust in the UK government.
"“If they are not, then this will only further damage trust levels in the UK government and the EU.”"
Brexit is framed as lacking democratic legitimacy in Northern Ireland
The article notes that nearly half of voters disagree the Brexit vote was based on a fair democratic process, subtly questioning its legitimacy in the region.
"48 per cent disagreeing."
The article reports poll findings with high accuracy and transparency. It contextualizes data with historical and methodological detail. The tone is neutral, relying on expert attribution and verifiable statistics.
A Queen’s University Belfast poll of 1,050 Northern Ireland residents shows 72% believe Brexit has been more a failure, including 60% of those who voted Leave. Support for the Windsor Framework has declined, and most oppose further UK-EU separation, with 57% supporting UK rejoining the EU.
Irish Times — Politics - Domestic Policy
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Irish Times
