Third of voters back second referendum on Brexit, poll suggests
By Andrew Sparrow in The Guardian
Originally published by South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats
Polly Toynbee writing in the Guardian says a second referendum on Brexit would be a mistake. "Never try another referendum," she writes. "Haven't we learned that lesson the hard way? A crude question divides a nation, driven by emotions not on the ballot paper, paralysing politics for years to come."
By coincidence, her column coincides with new Guardian/ICM polling designed to find out if the public agree. And at the moment they do; supporting a second referendum is still a niche proposition. But, interestingly, it is becoming more popular. And the poll also shows that there is some evidence - not a huge amount, but some - that concerns about Brexit are growing.
Here are the figures.
ICM told respondents that the Brexit talks were taking place and asked which of three options they would prefer to see. The results were:
- The UK leaving the EU regardless of what happens: 46% (down 7 from ICM in January)
- MPs to decide whether or not the UK leaves: 11% (down 1)
- A second referendum to allow people to decide whether the UK leaves or not, based on the outcome of the negotiations: 32% (up 6)
A third of voters back a second referendum on Brexit, a poll suggests. That represents a six-point increase since the same question was asked six months ago.
ICM also asked whether people thought Brexit would have a positive or negative impact on the British economy, their personal finances, and life in Britain generally. Here are the results, and how they compare with the results when the same question was asked five months ago).
Impact on the British economy
- Positive: 29%
- Negative: 42%
- No difference: 15%
- Net: -13% (down 8 from ICM in February)
Impact on your personal finances
- Positive: 12%
- Negative: 32%
- No difference: 40%
- Net: -20 (up 2)
Impact on life in Britain generally
- Positive: 33%
- Negative: 34%
- No difference: 19%
- Net: -1 (down 6)
Voters have become more negative in their assessment of how they think Brexit will affect the economy and life in Britain generally over the last five months.
But, despite this, there is still support for Brexit. Asked which they were more likely to feel when Britain left the EU, people replied:
- Joy: 41%
- Despair: 38%
Amongst those most likely to feel joy are Ukip supporters (85%),
Conservative supporters (62%) and the over-65s (54%).
Amongst those most likely to feel despair are Lib Dem supporters (67%), Labour supporters (56%), people with higher degrees (51%) and 18 to 24-year-olds (49%).
More people say they feel joy at the prospect of the UK leaving the EU (41%) than feel despair (38%).