More Britons favour a second referendum on European Union membership than oppose another vote, a poll suggests.
A total of 47% of respondents favour having a final say on Brexit once the terms of withdrawal are known, while 34% are against reopening the question, according to the ICM poll for the Guardian.
Excluding the 19% who do not have a view, it gives a 16-point lead in favour of a second referendum.
More Britons favour a second EU referendum than oppose it, a poll suggests
Amid all the uncertainty over Brexit the poll showed that attitudes to Europe in parts of the UK are hardening, with the country becoming more polarised
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage suggested he was ‘maybe’ coming around to the idea of having a second referendum on EU membership
Overall, the survey found that 51 percent were now in favour of staying in the EU while 49 percent would vote to confirm June 2016’s Leave vote
The increase of support comes from both sides of the Brexit debate, with a quarter of leave voters in favour of another poll.
The poll makes clear that Brexit remains a hot potato in Britain, with the country still divided and opinions becoming increasingly bitter and more polarised.
Other findings in the poll reveal mounting concern over the economic damage caused by Brexit with a small majority believing it will also have a negative impact on the ‘British way of life’.
Another finding is signs of a rethink among Labour voters, with 9 percent of Labour leave voters now switching to remain and bigger backing for a second vote in Labour marginal constituencies than in other parts of the country.
David Davis has a lot on his place as he negotiates Britain’s exit from the EU amid mounting concern over the economic damage caused by Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that Britain will honour the outcome of the Brexit vote despite the warnings of EU officials
The poll also reveals more evidence of a Brexit generational and geographical divide, with younger voters in particular much more supportive of Britain’s continuing to be a member of the EU and older voters more sure than ever that it is best to leave. Likewise, voters in Scotland are more likely to be pro-EU, whereas support for leave remains strong in Wales and the Midlands.
Senior EU figures such as European Council president Donald Tusk have also made clear that Brussels was still open to the UK staying in the union
It comes after former Ukip leader Nigel Farage suggested he was ‘maybe’ coming around to the idea of having a second referendum on EU membership to settle the issue.
Senior EU figures such as European Council president Donald Tusk have also made clear that Brussels was still open to the UK staying in the union.
Overall, the survey found that 51 percent were now in favour of staying in the EU while 49 percent would vote to confirm June 2016’s Leave vote.
ICM polled 5,075 people in a representative sample in mid-January.