Background to the Research

• Discussion concerning identity in NI has tended to emphasise a sharp ethnic distinction between Catholic/Nationalist/Republican and Protestant/Unionist. Little research has been carried out into the diversity of views and interests that lie behind 'the two traditions' of unionism and nationalism.
  

Research Approach

• In order to explore diversity within ethnic identity, the authors carried out a survey in 1996 which explored the relationship between class, constitutional preference and location. A random sample of 2,000 individuals from the 1996 Register of Electors was used in the three District Councils Areas of Belfast, Derry and Newry (a total of 100 wards were selected and findings are based on a usable sample of 1612 individuals).
  

Main Findings

• Support for 'retaining the union' is relatively uniform by location and social class among Protestants (never falling below 78% for any social class or location). Among Catholics, constitutional preference seems more directly influenced by location and social class. For example, only 9% of working class Catholics in Belfast wish to retain the union compared with 50% of the managerial/professional class and 39% of the routine non-manual class. However, in Newry, only 4% of working class Catholics wish to do so compared with 24% of routine non-manual and 29% of the managerial/professional class.
• The data show a more significant level of support for the continuation of the union amongst Belfast managerial/professional Catholics (50%) than shown by their Derry or Newry counterparts (39% and 29% respectively). This may be partly explained by the percentage share of Catholics employed in the public sector in Belfast and Derry (47% and 39%). Derry and Newry have each over 65% of Catholics and are close to the Republic of Ireland, which may explain a more Irish nationalist perspective.
• Protestants appear to cluster very tightly around the characteristic unionist position, conversely Catholics are more heterogeneous with a considerable minority supporting the maintenance of the union.

Conclusions

• The concept of a central ground capable of transcending sectarianism has been a recurring theme in Northern Irish society.
• The central ground is predominantly middle class and ambiguous. It wishes to retain the union, but at the same time embraces the complex British, Irish and European facets of identity in NI.
• Constitutional preference is only one aspect of much more complex identities that exist in NI. The data show that the centre ground is as fragmented as other expressions of identity. Cultural loyalties, material concerns and citizenship aspirations do not necessarily form a coherent ideology that is easily identifiable through class allegiance and support for a political party.
• The challenge in the face of constructs of identity and place that remain exclusive and inaccessible is to create political structures that reinforce inclusion and pluralist notions of identity.