That same NILT Survey states that there is less than 20% declaring themselves as Unionist for the under 35's. There is a large majority that declined to put themselves into a grouping. To follow your line then there is not much chance of maintaining the Union at a vote is there ?

The question itself did not ask about a persons willingness to vote for or against a UI. You suggest as "Less than 20%" declared they were Nationalist that the rest would vote for the Union, yet if I follow that line then the survey shows that Less than 20% declared themselves as Unionists and therefore there is not enough votes to sustain the Union now.

What the survey shows from this is that there is a very real chance of the UI vote succeeding. In any case the actual number of Protestant (Unionists) is falling as their superior numbers is in the over 65 age group and they are moving on to pastures new.

Unionists used to always state that Catholics knew where they were better off and would stay within the UK, unfortunately for those same Unionists the British Government is now withdrawing all those benefits as they change the Welfare System. Once that is changed and there is no longer any benefit staying do you really think those Catholics will be "Loyal" to the UK ?

There is some creative thinking in your analysis of the NILT survey outputs.

The Question asked was "Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a unionist, a nationalist or neither?" at no point does that mention how people will vote in UI referendum.
The overall figures for the question were:
Unionist 28 %
Nationalist 23 %
Neither 47 %

The Under 35's answers were:
for 18-24 25-34
Unionist 17% 20%
Nationalist 22% 15%
Neither 56% 61%
Don't know 4% 2%
others 1%
A few things from the figures that you are using. Firstly there is only 17% declaring themselves as Unionist for the 18-24 Yr olds - not enough to ensure the Union survives is it ? however % figure don't mean a great deal example: if there is only 100 Unionists and 150 Nationalists and the % declaring they are Unionist is the above 17% then that equates to 17, however if only 15% say they are Nationalist then that equates to 23. Neither mean a lot when it comes to voting and the Question didn't ask how they would vote in a UI referendum. If we follow your line of thought then there are clearly a very large majority that don't want any label and just want to live, so do we then take it they wouldn't vote as they don't care ?

Your presumption that there will never be a UI may well come back to bit you a lot sooner than you think.

"Less than 20% of the population aged under 35 say they are Nationalists. So any idea that there is a large number of Nationalist voters in the younger age groups is misguided." Just as a matter of interest but where did you get this figure and why is it "Less than" and not an exact figure ?

And then the most important part What was the question posed that had "Less than 20% of the under 35's as Nationalists"?

And How many said they were Unionist ?

There doesn't seem to be any reason left for the Loyalists in the North to now drop their opposition to Irish Unity. The Queen of England having paid her respect to those people who stood and fought for freedom against the Empires Army and at the same time they showed the way for others. The out working of the Irish rebellion was the end of the British Empire as other small nations followed the example set out by those during Easter Week 1916.

And now the leaders of Unionism have finally stood and acknowledged the courage of those men along with the Queen of England during the state visit.

No reason now for the Unionist leaders not to get into discussion about the re-unification whilst they still have some bargaining power rather than waiting until the numbers are no longer in their favor and the decision taken away from them.

Tom Elliott is not the sharpest tool in the box when it comes to history and his statements suggesting the idea as "inappropriate", adding: "I think it could be seen as an acceptance and acknowledgement that terrorism is okay."

Mr Elliott had no problems with making Terrorism OK by declaring on TV that the UVF were different as they were set up by the Government when being questioned about the centenary celebrations for the UVF. He didn't seem to know the UVF where set up to fight against the Will of the Government and Parliament at Westminster. Ask him to remove the UVF Terrorist flags and listen to his excuses why those flags should be left flying. Maybe that's what Unionists are taught at school, and they talk about Re-Writing History !!!!!!

Really, where is your flag that flew over Belfast for 120 years, That was an impossible dream 10 years ago or even just 2 years ago - wasn't it?

The pendulum is swinging back the ways and the next 10-15 years will see the demise of Unionism. It was only last week that the DUP Leader has now started to call for his supporters to try and get votes from outside their own community as the realization that the demographic change is quickening and the end is in sight.

The "Deluded Impossible dream" is coming - sooner than you think.

Clearly you have no great knowledge of politics here in the North. Sinn Fein stand and everyone knows that they will NOT take the seat as long as an oath has to be taken to the Queen of England and everyone here in the North votes for them in full knowledge of that. They are not "elected to do so" as you put it.

Republicans will not now or ever take up the seats as long as the British demand that an oath to the foreign English Queen has to be given by those entering the Westminster Parliament. Should they decide that those who are elected by the people swear an oath to serve the people who elected them then Sinn Fein MP's would have no problem taking such an oath and entering the Westminster Parliament.

If the people here didn't support their stance then they wouldn't get the votes that they get - would they !

VOTE DUP or UUP and the Unionists on benefits WILL get their benefits cut big time. The first to go will be their DLA and the £58 or so a week premiums which they get on top of their income support if they vote for either of these 2 party's.

The Unemployed on the shankill Road in Belfast would have to be uneducated idiot's to vote for their benefits to be cut as drastically as the DUP and UUP intend. First the DLA and the premiums, then they will be assessed for Universal Credit as they lose Income Support, and then finally in 2017 the introduction of the Bedroom Tax which will mean just as in GB that they will lose around another £15 a week.

Turkey's don't vote for Christmas but this is Norn Irlan and the turkey's on the Shankill Road probably will. After all the Dodd's family need their MP and MEP salaries and expenses to keep their strength up to fight them Irish and European Fenians. Oh and a vote for the DUP means you can keep flying the fleg. Never mind your benefits eat flegs.

The Commentator is clearly playing to the Unionists who pay his wages here with this article. He knows rightly that Sinn Fein do not snub Westminster by refusing to take their seats. It is Westminster that does NOT Allow Sinn Fein to take those seats unless they bow down before the English Queen by swearing an oath of allegiance to her. No One should be made to take such an oath when it is totally against their beliefs and where the person clearly would never honor such an undertaking.

Martin McGuiness stood in Windsor Castle while they played God Save The Queen, just as Peter Robinson and others stood in the same hall as they played Amhrán na bhFiann. Wonder who's actions will be talked about most tomorrow ?

Why Would Ally McCoist fear the sack ? He has just signed a new long term contract with The Rangers and they have no money and can't afford to sack him. His agent will no doubt have put all sorts of things in his contract for being willing to take a pay cut from £850,000 a year.

When players continuously play at a lower level they lose their edge and their technics wane, and these players will not be replaced as many have 3 or 4 year contracts. Somers and the Board are right they have too big a squad on too big contracts and from the Championship they will struggle.