A poll conducted by Queen's University Belfast reveals that 72 percent of Northern Ireland voters consider Brexit more a failure than a success. This view holds among 60 percent of those who voted to leave the EU in 2016.

The survey, carried out by LucidTalk between April 17 and 20, involved a weighted sample of 1,050 respondents across Northern Ireland. It forms part of the university's Testing the Temperature series, led by professors David Phinnemore and Katy Hayward.

Two-thirds of voters, or 66 percent, believe Brexit has increased the likelihood of the UK breaking up. A majority favor closer EU ties, with 59 percent opposing any further loosening of UK-EU relations and 57 percent supporting UK rejoining the EU.

Voters remain split on the 2016 referendum's legitimacy, with 40 percent viewing it as a fair democratic process and 48 percent disagreeing. Brexit-related identities as leaver or remainer matter greatly to 52 percent of voters.

Professor Katy Hayward noted that remainers see Brexit as national self-harm they opposed, while leavers feel Northern Ireland did not fully achieve Brexit outcomes, such as removal of EU laws.

Support for the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trading arrangements, shows signs of decline. Only 58 percent report a good understanding of it, the lowest since polling started. Forty-six percent now see it as a good thing for Northern Ireland, down from prior levels, and the same share view it as an appropriate Brexit solution, a drop from 61 percent in summer 2024.

Professor David Phinnemore stressed the need for clear explanations of upcoming UK-EU agreements to reduce trade frictions under the Windsor Framework. He warned that unclear communication could erode trust in both the UK government and the EU.

In the 2016 referendum on June 23, Northern Ireland voted 56 percent to remain in the EU and 44 percent to leave, while the UK overall chose to leave by 52 percent to 48 percent.