Latest Brexit poll shows city ‘changing its mind’ - The Worcester Observer

Latest Brexit poll shows city ‘changing its mind’

Worcester Editorial 15th Aug, 2018 Updated: 15th Aug, 2018   0

A LEADING campaign group bidding to keep Britain in the European Union has claimed Worcester voters are now questioning the value of Brexit after a new opinion poll suggested the city would now vote to remain in the EU.

Worcestershire for Europe campaigners spoke out after the city was revealed as one of 112 parliamentary constituences which has switched from backing leave to wanting to remain within the EU in a poll by research group Focaldata for the Best for Britain campaign for a second referendum and the Hope Not Hate campaign against racism.

A total of 53.7 per cent of Worcester voters chose to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum while 46.3 per cent voted to remain but the new figures suggest the same majority would now favour a move to keep Britain in the European Union.

A spokesman for Worcestershire for Europe said: “This news comes as no surprise as we have seen a steady increase in support during our campaign days in Worcester.




“People have seen the lack of progress in negotiations and the negative effects of Brexit, such as the weakened pound and struggling businesses and are starting to see Brexit will not be all it was cracked up to be.

“Campaigns like ours are helping to make people aware of the many benefits of EU membership – the right to study, work and retire in Europe, swift access to medical treatments, ease of trade.


“Given the phenomenal cost of Brexit to our economy for decades it is to be expected that reasonable people are asking themselves ‘Brexit – is it worth it?’ After all, no one voted Leave to be poorer,” he added.

Among the other constituencies found to have switched from Leave to Remain were arch-Brexiteer Boris Johnson’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Michael Gove’s Surrey Heath and the seats of pro-Brexit Labour MPs Frank Field in Birkenhead and Graham Stringer in Blackley and Broughton.

But Worcester’s MP and Brexit Minister Robin Walker cast doubt on the analysis and said the poll was similar to those held in the run up to the 2016 refererdum which continually showed a small lead for the remain campaign.

“This is a poll of just 15,000 people which means the whole of Worcester is based on about 150 people’s opinion,” he said.

“I don’t think the significant opinion has changed because it rather reflects the polls we saw before the referendum.

“We have had the vote which has delivered a once in a generation verdict and now we need to get on and deliver a Brexit which works for everyone.”

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Worcester Observer.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.