The majority of British people support same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

The vast majority of British people support same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, a new poll shows.

British Conservative voters support changing the law, effectively piling on the pressure for Prime Minister to allow for Westminster to legislate to make marriage equal in Northern Ireland.

A YouGov poll for PinkNewsof 1688 adults found that, excluding those who don't know, 80 per cent of Brits support the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. 66 per cent of people in Northern Ireland support the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

Same-sex marriage was backed by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2015 but was blocked following a petition of concern signed by DUP members.

The poll additionally found that 70 per cent of Conservative, 89 per cent of Labour and 90 per cent of Liberal Democrat voters in Britain think same-sex marriage should be permitted in Northern Ireland.

An overwhelming 90 per cent of Remainers in Britain support same-sex marriage, as opposed to 68 per cent of those in the Leave category.

Benjamin Cohen, Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief, PinkNews, said:

It is exciting that across the UK, there is clear support for same-sex marriage being introduced in Northern Ireland, the last part of the country where gay people are banned from marrying. This shows how much attitudes have changed since the first same-sex weddings in England, Wales and Scotland in 2014.

While the support is larger among Labour and Lib Dem voters, it is clear that Conservative voters support changing the law.

John Blair is the first openly gay member of the Northern Ireland assembly and took the party’s South Antrim seat. He said:

Since deciding to run for the MLA seat, I have received support and encouragement from right across the community, showing the progressive and positive alternative Alliance represents.

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