No fear for the Union, says TUV ahead of Northern Ireland census release, Alliance worried about focus on religion

A TUV spokesman said support for the UK party remaining “transcends religion”.

He commented: “Obviously, not much can be said until the census results are released, but anyone who believes that an increase in the Roman Catholic population automatically translates into an increase in support for nationalism would be well advised to look election results over the past three decades. The rise in numbers of people identifying as Catholic has been going on for decades and yet the nationalist vote in this year’s Assembly elections is nearly identical to that in the first Assembly election in 1998.

“The case for the Union is strong and support for keeping the UK transcends religion. When voters of all faiths and none look to the alternative of an entire Ireland where we lose our tax break staff, our free NHS and have no scheme similar to the energy cap announced at Westminster this week, they will have the good sense to vote to keep the Union.

Meanwhile, trade union activist Jamie Bryson said: ‘One key point should be noted before the census: religion is not synonymous with national/political identity. Some of the most ardent trade unionists I know are of the Catholic faith.

“Trade unionism still remains the greatest political designation by far.”

Alliance MP Kellie Armstrong said the census was a useful resource, particularly when planning public services, but expected religion to dominate today’s headlines.

She said: ‘Religion is always very important to people, having a faith is very important, but it’s this presumption that where you grew up has to determine who you are in terms of religion and that’s not no longer the case. There are many more people brought up in a mixed marriage.

“I would very much like the second question on religion to be dropped in the next census.

“When you answer ‘none’ to religion, the second question about religion asks ‘what kind of person are you – a Catholic person or a Protestant person?’

“You don’t have to answer, but it doesn’t say you don’t.”

On the importance of the census, Ms Armstrong said: “Coming from a politician who looks at politics – how do you know where you’re going to put a school or a hospital or where you don’t need to have a school or hospital?You need this statistical evidence as a reference to confirm where public services should be, as for example we know that in recent years there has been an increase in the number of births in Northern Ireland North, so the number of places in schools that are needed must be planned.The census helps with this.

“To be honest, some of the questions, like that second question about religion, are more about statistics than what’s relevant today. It was very relevant 50 years ago because there were inequalities.

“Historically the census is where people find out who their ancestors are, it’s an important document, but I think it just needs to be tweaked a bit for the modern era.”