Most Britons Oppose Brexit a Nationwide Survey Finds

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Most Britons Oppose Brexit a Nationwide Survey Finds"

Victoria Barber
8 years ago
Views:

1 Most Britons Oppose Brexit a Nationwide Survey Finds Voters believe that the UK should remain within the European, although many in favour of a membership referendum taking place. Data from 14,000 responses to the Election Compass UK questionnaire shows voters are rather positive over Britain s EU membership. Even though 43.6% of those surveyed are in favour of a membership referendum taking place, compared to 37.1% who would oppose such plebiscite, only 22.4% would actually support a British exit from the EU. Figure 1 below reveals that, in accordance with the parties stances on the matter, supporters of are vehemently supportive of a referendum on EU membership, with 89.7% of them in favour and only 5% opposing the proposal. Cameron s pledge to organise a referendum on the matter, should the s win the election, has apparently resonated with the electorate, with 60% of sympathisers agreeing that a referendum should take place as soon as possible. Conversely, sympathisers of the centre-left and regional parties are overwhelmingly opposed to organising an in or out referendum, with, Liberal Democrat and Green supporters most opposed to the proposal. Figure 1. Answers to the statement The United Kingdom should hold an in or out referendum on EU membership as soon as possible per party preference The United Kingdom should hold an in or out referendum on EU membership as soon as possible

6% of those surveyed are in favour of a membership referendum taking place, compared to 37.1% who would oppose such plebiscite, only 22.4% would actually support a British exit from the EU.

2 Figure 2 reveals a very different pattern, showing that voters are much more supportive of organising a referendum on EU-membership than they are of the UK leaving the EU. Overall, 57.7% of the survey population agree that the UK should remain within the EU. When looking at the proportions of (dis)agreement by party preference, it is obvious that supporters have a radically differing preferences compared to the rest of the British electorate 76% of supporters do not consider that the UK should remain within the EU, compared to less than 10% who would prefer remaining within the EU. supporters are rather divided on the topic, albeit a larger portion of them would oppose an eventual Brexit (44.3%), compared to 28.8% in favour. Green, and Liberal Democrat supporters are most opposed to an EU exit, with more than 80% of each of the three voter groups being supportive of EU membership. and voters are also overwhelmingly opposed to a Brexit. Figure 2. Answers to the statement per party preference

When looking at the proportions of (dis)agreement by party preference, it is obvious that supporters have a radically differing preferences compared to the rest of the British electorate 76% of

3 Figure 3 reveals the opinion of only those respondents who agree that an in or out referendum on EU membership should take place on actual EU membership. The results reveal that those who would like a referendum to take place will not necessarily vote in favour of Brexit. Clearly, compared to the general survey population, a larger proportion of these respondents would favour a UK exit from the EU (47.7% against 27.3%). With regard to party preference, and supporters are once again shown to be the most ill-disposed towards continuing EU membership, followed by,,, Green and supporters. Figure 3. Answers to the statement of those who agree that there should be a referendum on EU membership When respondents are distinguished per city (Figure 4), the results indicate that there is a considerable variation with regard to agreement that a referendum on EU membership should be held as soon as possible. Less than half of the respondents in Bath, Cambridge, Bristol, Leicester, Nottingham, Gloucester and Derby are in favour of the plebiscite taking place. On the other hand, more than half of the respondents from Stoke, South-West Wales, Plymouth and Grimsby are in favour of organizing the referendum.

Clearly, compared to the general survey population, a larger proportion of these respondents would favour a UK exit from the EU (47.7% against 27.3%).

4 Figure 4. Answers to the statement The United Kingdom should hold an in or out referendum on EU membership as soon as possible per city Stoke South West Wales Plymouth Grimsby Derby Gloucester Nottingham Leicester Bristol Cambridge Bath The United Kingdom should hold an in or out referendum on EU membership as soon as possible Figure 5 illustrates a very similar pattern: with regard to the statement The United Kingdom should remain within the European, Bath, Cambridge, Bristol and Leicester appear to have the most Euro-enthusiastic population, at least when it comes to the cities included. Again, respondents from Stoke, Grimsby and Plymouth hold the most Eurosceptic opinions, with less than 50% of them agreeing that the UK should remain within the EU. It is worth noting, however, that the proportion of voters who do not agree that the UK should remain within the EU is considerably smaller than the proportion of those who agree.

Leicester Bristol Cambridge Bath The United Kingdom should hold an in or out referendum on EU membership as soon as possible Figure 5 illustrates a very similar pattern: with regard to the statement

5 Figure 5. Answers to the statement per party preference Bath Cambridge Bristol Leicester Gloucester Nottingham South West Wales Derby Plymouth Grimsby Stoke

The British Political Landscape

The British Political Landscape Developed by a team of academics and experts, the Voting Advice Application (VAA) Election Compass United Kingdom positions the major British parties on 30 of the most salient