Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble has called for a poll on a united Ireland next year. He made the call after he was re-elected leader at the Ulster Unionist Party AGM today.
The Northern Ireland First Minister said the referendum on the North leaving the UK should at the same time as next year's Northern Ireland Assembly Elections.
Mr Trimble's proposal comes just days after senior colleague Sir Reg Empey urged Unionists to fight Sinn Féin's attempt to drive Northern Ireland into a united Ireland.
However, it would be at the British government's discretion whether a poll would be conducted.
It is not believed the British government would seek the opinion of the Northern Ireland people unless they believed there was the serious prospect of constitutional change.
Unionists believe they have suffered in recent elections from a poor voter turnout and that a border poll would motivate their supporters to go the ballot box.
Commenting on Mr Trimble's proposal Sinn F[AC]ein chairperson Mr Mitchel McLaughlin said that "such a move would undoubtedly begin the count-down to a united Ireland."
PA