Written question asked by Lord Caine (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. It was answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 July 2026 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Sovereignty: Northern Ireland

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will rule out stating the criteria that would be used to make an assessment as to whether the criteria requiring them to hold a poll in accordance with Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 has been satisfied.

Answer

In accordance with the Good Friday Agreement and the Principle of Consent, Northern Ireland will remain part of the UK for as long as its people wish for it to be.

There is no clear basis to suggest that a majority of people in Northern Ireland presently wish to separate from the United Kingdom.

As set out in the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the duty to call such a poll rests with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland alone.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL2499
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Northern Ireland Sovereignty
Legislation: Northern Ireland Act 1998
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Sovereignty: Northern Ireland

Secondary information

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