New poll: refusal to allow voters a say will hurt Brown in the polls
21 June 2007
- New poll finds that majority of Labour voters want a referendum
- Refusal to allow voters a say will hurt Brown in the polls
A new ICM poll of 1,000 people finds that a majority of voters of all political parties want a referendum on the new constitutional treaty - and don’t want to give more powers to the EU.
The poll also finds that refusing to hold a referendum may well damage Labour at the next election.
Key findings:
Overall, 86% of voters want a referendum. 83% of Labour voters want a vote to be held on the text, as do 88% of Lib-Dem and Tory voters. 88% of trade union members want a referendum.
43% of Labour voters say they will be “definitely less likely” to vote for Brown if he does not hold a referendum.
65% of voters said that they would vote against a new treaty giving power to the EU. Labour voters are also roughly two-to-one against the new treaty, with 58% saying they would vote against it, and 33% in favour. Trade union members were 69%-22% against the new text. Conservative and Lib-Dem voters were opposed by 76%-16% and 67%-27% respectively.
Looking at the broader question of the future of Europe, 59% of Labour voters would like Labour to take back powers from the EU. 69% of Liberal Democrat voters would like the Lib-Dems to support taking back powers.
Given a three way choice, only 15% of voters would back giving the EU more powers; 32% thought that the EU should stay as it is, but get no more powers; but 49% thought the EU should have less powers than it has now.
Open Europe Director Neil O’Brien said:
“Gordon Brown wants to distance himself from Tony Blair, and show that he is prepared to listen to the public. But if Brown refuses to hold a referendum all his rhetoric about ‘listening and learning’ will mean nothing. Ruling out a referendum would clearly hurt Labour in the polls.”
The tables are available at:
http://www.openeurope.org.uk/research/constitutionpoll.pdf
Notes for Editors:
Open Europe will also be staging an “alternative family photo” at the EU summit today. The event features life-size models of all 27 EU leaders with their fingers in their ears – symbolising the determination of Europe's politicians to avoid giving their voters a say in referendums on the new constitutional treaty. The event mirrors the traditional 'family photo' of leaders which takes place at European Council meetings.
It will take place from 9am until 4pm. Tony Blair's former Economics Advisor and Open Europe Vice-Chairman Derek Scott will be available for interview from 10am.
The event takes place at the avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée, in front of the entrance to the Parc du Cinquantenaire, (200 metres from the Schuman Roundabout and Council building), 1040 Brussels. For further details, please call Paul Stephenson (0044 7725 610696), Lorraine Mullally (0044 7980 550319), or Mats Persson (0044 7799 460691) on the day.
For other enquires call Neil O’Brien on 0207 197 2333 or 07973 142775.