Mainland Brits more interested in getting their ideal Brexit than protecting Northern Ireland’s place within the UK, poll finds

People on the British mainland are more concerned about getting a Brexit deal they want than protecting Northern Ireland's place within the UK, a poll has found.

The survey, carried out by YouGov, found Northern Ireland to be far from the mind of the average Brit in England, Scotland and Wales, with Brexit taking precedent.

Given the choice, a 58 per cent majority said they would choose their preferred Brexit deal to Northern Ireland staying in the Union.

Meanwhile, 58 per cent of Remain voters said they’d rather have their way on Brexit than see the Union preserved, compared to 64 per cent of Leave voters.

Even those Britons who say they want Northern Ireland to stay part of the UK tend to be willing to sacrifice it for the sake of Brexit. Almost half chose their preferred Brexit option, compared to 35 per cent who chose the Union.

When the sample of 1,641 British adults was asked how much they care about what happens in Northern Ireland, four in ten mainland Brits said they don’t care very much or at all.

The exact same figure said they would not be bothered if Northern Ireland left the UK, with the same amount again saying they would be upset if the country broke away.

Pollsters said the results "expose the extent of the weaknesses in the link between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK".

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