Press Release

69% want referendum on looser relationship with EU

A new ICM poll commissioned by Global Vision, the new business backed Eurosceptic campaign group, indicates that the majority of people want a change in the relationship between the UK and EU. 

36% wanted a looser arrangement based on free trade and cooperation whilst opting out of political and economic integration.  A further 29% wanted to leave the EU altogether.  Only 27% wanted to stay a full member. 

Furthermore, the ICM poll found that the majority want a referendum on a looser arrangement.

When asked, "Do you think there should or should not be a referendum on the proposal that Britain should have a looser relationship with Europe, maintaining free trade and cooperation on common policies, but opting out of political and economic integration?", 69% said ‘yes'.  An overwhelming 75% of those aged 18-24 said that there should be a referendum. 

In an article in The Sunday Telegraph on 29 April, Ruth Lea, Director of Global Vision, backs the ICM findings and argues that the British people should be given the chance to not only vote in a referendum on any new treaty, but on Britain's relationship as a whole.

Lea said, "It is clear from these results that the wish to fundamentally change Britain's relationship with the EU is the majority view.  It is not an ‘extremist' view."

She went on to say that, "Britain can have a wonderful future, but it must be freed from the EU's political and regulatory shackles.  The British people, of course, already fully understand this."