Almost as many Protestants in Northern Ireland would prefer to live under direct rule as under devolution, according to a poll published today.
As the two governments battle to restore the power-sharing Stormont administration which was suspended last October, the poll revealed that 47 per cent of Protestants would rather be governed from London.
Only two per cent more opted for devolved government as the best way of running the North.
Among Catholics the responses were radically different - 84 per cent want devolution back against just 13 per cent who would opt for direct rule.
Overall, the research found that 66 per cent of those questioned wanted a devolved government.
The latest research on public attitudes in the North was undertaken by Queen's University Belfast and based on a survey carried out by Market Research Northern Ireland.
It found that there was a narrow majority in favour of Assembly elections, due to be held in May, going ahead rather than being held only after agreement between the parties is reached and powers restored to the Stormont Assembly - 86 per cent against 77 per cent.
There was unambiguous agreement on who should run the devolved administration - with 43 per cent of those questioned wanting a continuation of the Ulster Unionist/SDLP combination of First and Deputy First Minister that existed prior to suspension.
There has been much talk of the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists closing on the UUP in the run up to an election and of Sinn Féin doing the same with the SDLP.
However the poll, published in today's Belfast Telegraph, showed clearly that the prospect of a DUP/SF ticket for First and Deputy First Ministers was the worst option in the public view. Only two per cent favoured this option and even supporters of the two parties were cold on the idea with backing for it from only four per cent of DUP voters and 6 per cent of Sinn Féin's.
Implementing the Belfast Agreement in full has been called the only way forward by the two governments but the poll showed broad overall support for making appropriate changes to the Agreement to ensure political stability.
Just over half of those asked - 53 per cent - thought changes were either essential or desirable. A further 21 per cent said changes would be acceptable and ten per cent said they would be tolerable. Only ten per cent branded such a move as intolerable.
More than a quarter of Sinn Féin supporters are opposed to the IRA disbanding or standing down, and 30 per cent of them said it was "unacceptable" for the party to take its seats on the Policing Board.
PA