Many [[Protestant]]s (and some [[Catholic]]s) in Northern Ireland argue they have a distinct identity that would be overwhelmed in a united Ireland. They cite the decline of the small [[Protestant]] population of the Republic of Ireland since secession from the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom's stronger international position and their mainly non-Irish ancestry.
A possible referendum on a united Ireland was included as part of the terms of the [[Good Friday Agreement]]. Currently about 4644% of the Northern Ireland electorate vote for Irish nationalist parties that oppose the union with [[Britain]] and support a united Ireland as an alternative, although as many people vote along religious lines it is difficult to take this figure as a direct indication of levels of support for a united Ireland. A [http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2004/Political_Attitudes/NIRELAND.html 2004 survey] shows support for a united Ireland at 22% of Northern Ireland's population. Strangely, the same survey shows support for full independence at 11%, while the [[Ulster Third Way]] party (the only party that supports independence) receives less than a tenth of 1% of votes. It is important to take into account the fact that public opinion polls can be very inaccurate at times, these results do not mean that the people of Northern Ireland would not necassarily choose unification within a few decades; in the event that the [[Good Friday Agreement]] is successful and implemented.
