More than half of SDLP supporters believe nationalists in the North should join the new police service, according to opinion poll figures released by the party last night.
The study also claimed that 34 per cent of Sinn Fein voters wanted nationalists to enlist. A total of 29 per cent of SDLP voters and 56 per cent of Sinn Fein voters opposed the move.
The MRBI poll was based on interviews with 1,200 unionist and nationalist voters in seven of the North's 18 Westminster constituencies. Apart from North and South Belfast, the constituencies were mainly nationalist. They included Foyle, Newry and Armagh, South Down, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and West Tyrone.
Total SDLP support in the seven constituencies was 33 per cent compared to 15 per cent for Sinn Fein. The poll also showed strong support for moderate unionists - pro-Agreement Ulster Unionists secured 20 per cent support; anti-Agreement Ulster Unionists 3 per cent; the DUP 11 per cent; and the Progressive Unionist and Alliance Parties 4 per cent each.
The figures suggest a considerable drop in DUP and anti-agreement UUP support. They also suggest the SDLP could outpoll Sinn Fein by more than two to one. However, opinion polls in the North have traditionally underestimated both Sinn Fein and anti-agreement unionist support.
SDLP chairman Mr Alex Attwood welcomed the results which he said showed his party's support was "consolidated if not enhanced" and indicated strong support for pro-agreement unionism.
Commenting on the policing figures, Mr Attwood said it was obvious that SDLP supporters were "in transition away from the old towards the new" and there was also evidence that Sinn Fein was "behind its own constituency" on the issue.
Meanwhile, the DUP has decided not to contest Fermanagh and South Tyrone at next month's Westminster election. It will be supporting Mr Jim Dixon, an anti-agreement unionist and survivor of the Enniskillen bomb.
Mr Dixon's candidacy could allow Sinn Fein to take the seat from the Ulster Unionists. UUP vice-chairman Mr James Cooper is his party's candidate following the decision of the sitting MP, Mr Ken Maginnis, to stand down.
The DUP yesterday called on Mr Cooper to withdraw and urged its supporters to vote for Mr Dixon. The prospect of a split unionist vote has raised Sinn Fein hopes that Ms Michelle Gildernew will take the seat and become her party's first woman Westminster MP since Countess Markiewicz.
SDLP South Belfast candidate Dr Alasdair McDonnell has said he believes he can defeat sitting anti-agreement UUP MP, the Rev Martin Smyth. Long-standing Alliance, Women's Coalition and Sinn Fein supporters will vote tactically for him in order to oust Mr Smyth and his "rabid anti-agreement views", Dr McDonnell said.
Sinn Fein North Belfast candidate Mr Gerry Kelly has predicted that the election in the constituency will be a straight fight between his party and the DUP. He dismissed the chances of sitting UUP MP Mr Cecil Walker, and said he believed he could take enough nationalist votes from the SDLP candidate, Mr Alban Maginness, to secure victory. Mr Kelly said his chief electoral rival was DUP candidate Mr Nigel Dodds. He urged nationalists to help halt the DUP from its mission of wrecking the Belfast Agreement. Observers believe Mr Dodds is the favourite to win the seat.