Poll finds 49% support UK rejoining EU as Labour weighs closer ties
A poll of 11,461 people found that 49% supported the UK rejoining the European Union, while 28.5% opposed it. The findings may strengthen calls within Downing Street for Labour to promise negotiations on closer ties, although ministers representing Brexit-voting constituencies have urged caution.
Almost half of voters support the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union, according to a poll that could intensify debate within the governing Labour Party over its long-term European policy. The Messina Group poll found that 49% backed rejoining the EU and 28.5% opposed it. It surveyed 11,461 people between September 12 and 24 and was weighted by the result of the 2016 referendum.
The findings followed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement of a review of options for Britain’s future relationship with Europe. He later said the review should include the possibility of rejoining the bloc. The polling suggested that closer ties could benefit Labour electorally.
Depending on the policy tested, Labour’s projected vote share rose by between 4.3 and 7.4 percentage points in scenarios involving a closer relationship with the EU. The source said most of the additional support came from the Greens and Liberal Democrats. The poll found that 48.2% supported retaining the existing relationship while reducing trade barriers, compared with 20.9% opposed.
A customs union was backed by 47.1%, while support for joining the single market and associate membership stood at 45.1% and 45.5% respectively. A plurality of 25.9% wanted immediate re-entry, while 22.9% favoured rejoining within three years and 8.4% within a decade. Twenty-three per cent did not want a closer relationship.
However, ministers have warned that reopening the issue could revive divisions over Brexit. Lucy Powell said going beyond existing reset plans was not desirable, while Jonathan Reynolds cited uncertainty for business. Shabana Mahmood said rejoining would not be straightforward and that the costs could be unacceptable.
The poll also found continued support for the pound and the European Convention on Human Rights. Two-thirds said trade with the EU was more important than trade with the United States or China if a choice had to be made. The findings also showed that arguments about immigration control and sovereignty continued to resonate.
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