Key Takeaways
- A new poll reveals that 50% of British voters would vote to rejoin the EU if a referendum were held now, compared to 45% in France and 46% in Italy.
- The poll also found that only 31% of British people would vote to remain outside the EU, a significant decrease from the 52% who supported Brexit nearly a decade ago.
- The findings put pressure on Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has pledged to "reset" UK-EU relations but has rejected calls to rejoin the EU or its single market or customs union.
- The poll also found that Sir Keir is one of the most unpopular leaders across six European countries, with only 17% of Britons having a favourable opinion of him.
Introduction to the Story
The Independent is committed to providing high-quality journalism, and with the support of its readers, it is able to continue telling the story of current events, including reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. The Independent’s reporting is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum, and it believes that quality journalism should be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. The publication’s latest story reveals a significant shift in public opinion regarding Brexit, with a new poll showing that more British voters want to be part of the EU than their French and Italian counterparts.
The Poll Results
The YouGov survey, carried out in six European countries, found that 50% of voters in the UK would vote to be an EU member if a referendum were held now, compared to 45% in France and 46% in Italy. The numbers were higher in Germany (62%), Denmark (75%), and Spain (66%). The poll also found that only 31% of British people would vote to remain outside the EU, a significant decrease from the 52% who supported Brexit nearly a decade ago. In France, 30% of people would vote to remain outside the EU, while in Italy, the figure was 28%. The findings suggest that there is a growing desire among British voters to rejoin the EU or have a closer relationship with the bloc.
Pressure on Keir Starmer
The poll results put pressure on Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has pledged to "reset" UK-EU relations but has rejected calls to rejoin the EU or its single market or customs union. Sir Keir’s health secretary, Wes Streeting, has suggested that a "deeper trading relationship" with Europe would boost UK economic growth, which has been seen as a challenge to Sir Keir’s stance. The Labour leader has also faced criticism from within his own party, with some ministers arguing that rejoining the customs union could increase economic growth. The poll findings are likely to add to the pressure on Sir Keir to reconsider his stance on Brexit and the EU.
Economic Costs of Brexit
The poll results come as an analysis revealed that Brexit is costing the UK up to £90bn a year in lost tax revenues. The figure has been cited by critics of Brexit as evidence of the economic harm caused by the UK’s departure from the EU. The Liberal Democrats’ Europe spokesperson, Al Pinkerton, has argued that the government must listen to the clear majority of voters who are calling for closer relations with the EU. Dr Mike Galsworthy, chair of the pro-EU campaign group European Movement UK, has also argued that the public is "sick of this failed Brexit experiment" and that politicians need to take real steps to grow the economy.
Unpopularity of Leaders
The poll also found that Sir Keir is one of the most unpopular leaders across six European countries, with only 17% of Britons having a favourable opinion of him. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, was the only leader who was less popular, with 16% of people having a favourable opinion of him. In contrast, the leaders of Germany, Italy, Spain, and Denmark were all more popular than Sir Keir, with 25%, 35%, 30%, and 34% of people having a favourable opinion of them, respectively. The findings suggest that Sir Keir faces a significant challenge in terms of his personal popularity, which could affect his ability to lead the Labour Party and implement his policies.
Conclusion
The poll results provide significant insights into the shifting public opinion on Brexit and the EU. With more British voters wanting to be part of the EU than their French and Italian counterparts, the pressure is on politicians to reconsider their stance on Brexit and the EU. The economic costs of Brexit, which are estimated to be up to £90bn a year, are also a major concern for voters. As the UK continues to navigate its relationship with the EU, it is clear that the public is calling for a closer relationship with the bloc, and politicians must listen to their concerns and take real steps to grow the economy.