Global Vision/Populus Poll on Britain’s relationship with the EU and elements of the new EU Treaty (with referendum question)

Summary

In June 2007 Global Vision commissioned a Populus poll on the public’s views on Britain’s relationship with the EU, attitudes to possible elements of a new EU Treaty and whether or not there should be a referendum on the new Treaty.

Concerning Britain’s relationship with the EU, people were given a choice of three options. The first was to stay within the EU and participate in further integration. The second was to have a looser relationship with the EU based on trade and cooperation, whilst opting out of political and economic union. And the third was to withdraw from the EU altogether.

34% wanted to stay in, whilst 43% chose the looser relationship option and 21% wished to leave altogether. Overall, therefore, nearly two-thirds of all respondents wanted radical change – with the ‘looser relationship’ based on free trade the option of choice.

People were asked if there was any need for a further transfer of powers from the member states to the EU for the EU to function effectively, given enlargement. 37% replied that there needed to be a transfer of powers, 51% disagreed, and there was a residual 12%.

Concerning possible, and contentious, elements of a new Treaty, reaction was mixed. On balance respondents were against making it easier to pass new laws by reducing the number of votes required and the creation of an elected full-time EU President. But they favoured a Common Foreign and Security Policy.

People were also asked if there should be a referendum on a new Treaty. An overwhelming majority – 83% – said yes; whilst only 14% said no.

Asked whether Tony Blair or Gordon Brown should negotiate a new Treaty at the EU Summit (21-22 June), 42% said Tony Blair should negotiate it whilst 55% said it should be Gordon Brown.

Results

Question 1: If you had to choose the UK’s future relationship with the EU which of the following would you prefer?

Option	% response
The UK staying a full member of the EU as now, participating in further integration	34%
The UK having a looser arrangement with the EU, maintaining free trade and cooperation on common policies, but opting out of political and economic integration	43%
Withdrawing from the EU altogether	21%
Residual	2%

Question 2: Enlargement and integration.

Option	% response
For the EU to function effectively with more & more countries joining it, member states including Britain will have to transfer more of their powers to EU institutions based in Brussels	37%
Enlargement of the EU need not mean more powers being transferred from individual member countries to Brussels	51%
Residual	12%

Question 3: Possible elements of a new EU Treaty: NET % saying Britain should NOT sign up to…

Option	% response (NET/NOT)
Making it easier for the EU to agree legislation by reducing the number of votes needed to pass new laws	16%
Reducing the number of areas where states like Britain can simply say “no” to legislation	-6%
Creating a Common European Foreign & Defence policy	-11%
Creating an EU Foreign Minister	2%
Creating an elected full-time EU President	14%

Question 4: If the UK Government signed up to any of these proposals (see question 3), do you think they should have to hold a referendum on the new EU Treaty before it became law in Britain?

Option	% response
Yes	83%
No	14%
Residual	3%

Question 5: The UK will be represented at the EU Summit by Tony Blair as one of his last acts as Prime Minister before he hands over to Gordon Brown. Which of these statements comes closest to your view?

Option	% response
Until he stops being Prime Minister, Tony Blair is entitled to negotiate on Britain’s behalf including agreeing to a new EU Treaty	42%
If a new EU Treaty is going to affect Britain after Tony Blair has stepped down as Prime Minister then it should be Gordon Brown who agrees it	55%
Residual	3%

Download the full Populus poll

Technical note
These polls were conducted by Populus on behalf of Global Vision. The fieldwork, on 1006 randomly sampled respondents, was conducted on 8-10 June 2007.

RL, June 2007