The Catch-up: Major Brexit study reveals Remainers are in the lead

What happened?

A major new piece of research has been published today, analysing what the UK really thinks about the EU. The Eurobarometer survey, based on interviews with almost 30,000 Europeans, found that considerably more Brits now want to remain in the UK than want to leave. 45% said they would like to stay a member of the bloc compared to 37% who want to quit.

Pro-EU?

The research found a majority of Brits (54%) feel their country has benefitted from being a member of the European Union. There are significant generational divides on this issue in particular. Asked whether the UK has benefited from its membership, the youngest respondents answered yes by 66% compared with 40% among the oldest generation.

What about the rest of Europe?

Coming just a month before the next round of European Parliamentary elections, support for the EU among all members is at a near record high. 61% of people across all countries said their membership is a good thing. Brits were the most likely to say their membership of the EU is a bad thing. The country second most likely to say being part of the EU is a bad thing was Italy, where 21% of people responded in this way. Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Ireland are the countries with the most positive attitude towards Europe. Outside the UK, a growing number of Europeans are concerned the EU is not moving in the right direction, with half of those interviewed saying this is the case.

What does this mean for Brexit?

Talks between Labour and the Conservatives continued this week to try a find a way to break through but there was no indication a solution is on the cards. Jeremy Corbyn came under increasing pressure to throw his support fully behind a second referendum after it emerged his party’s campaign leaflets for the EU elections made no mention of a so-called People’s Vote.

Read more:
What will the local and European elections tell us about Brexit? (The Independent)
UK parties unveil eye-catching Euro election candidates (The Guardian)
Labour row erupts over draft Euro election leaflet (Evening Standard)
Two-thirds of Irish people feel attached to EU (PA Ready News)

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