Irish referendum 73 result

'They have said so clearly today they are determined to stay within the United Kingdom so this removes any argument about our constitutional position from the lips of politicians for good and all, not just for five or ten years.' Ulster Unionist leader, Brian Faulkner, 8 th March 1973.

Irish referendum 8 th March 1973 - the results

In a referendum on the future of the province of Northern Ireland in March 1998, almost 99 % voted to remain in the United Kingdom with less than 6,500 people voting in favour of a United Ireland. The extremely low figure in favour of a United Ireland was the result of a boycott of the referendum by Roman Catholics, of whom less than 1 % are believed to have voted.

Following the referendum, a new Northern Ireland assembly was set up, meeting for the first time on 31 st July 1973. Following the Sunningdale Agreement on 9 th December, a general strike and the refusal of the Northern Ireland Secretary to meet with representatives of the Ulster Workers' Council, the Ulster Unionists resigned from the executive and the assembly collapsed. This led to 26 years of direct rule from London.